Buddy Bench reduces isolation in Nuwarra Public School playground

A COLOURFUL bench sits boldly in the Nuwarra Public School playground. It is a safe space for children feeling lonely, upset or isolated.

The Buddy Bench is a safe space for children that are feeling lonely, upset or isolated in the playground.

A COLOURFUL bench sits boldly in the Nuwarra Public School playground.

The buddy bench is a space for children who are feeling lonely, upset or isolated in the playground.

When seen sitting on the buddy bench, teachers and other pupils check if they are OK during the lunch break.

It allows the students to ­invite them to play or par­ticipate in an activity with others.

The Buddy Bench and Street Library.

The seat is designed to ­reduce feelings of isolation and promote empathy and friendships in the playground.

Principal Reg Corney said the buddy bench would also be used as a buddy ­reading bench, to work alongside its other new creation, street libraries.

Reading has been made cool at the Moorebank primary school with the introduction of the new concept street libraries.

The street libraries concept was introduced by the Nuwarra P and C Committee during the last school term of 2016.

“The Nuwarra P and C add so much to our school,” Mr Corney said.

“In the last two years we have purchased home reading books, airconditioning, soccer shirts and many more items due to their tireless work.”

Donated books are placed in each uniquely designed street library box for students to take and read during their breaks.

It is an informal and easy borrowing system for students, created in a bid to ­encourage positive reading experiences.

Books don’t need to be checked in or out.

Children are encouraged to take a book and return it when finished.

A design competition helped create the artwork for each of the boxes.

The winners and their classes then painted the street libraries in their own colourful and unique designs.