Ascot Vale West Primary School install buddy bench in sensory garden
Looking for a quiet space or a new friend? Ascot Vale West Primary school has got you covered with a new buddy bench and sensory garden to kerb loneliness. Check out the garden’s calming new features.
North West
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Sometimes all it takes is a bench to make everything better.
And that’s exactly what Ascot Vale West Primary School has done by installing a friendship bench in their new sensory garden.
The garden and bench aims to provide a quiet, sensory space where students can reflect or make a new friend if they feel lonely.
Kids are encouraged to go over and talk or play with anyone they see sitting on the bench.
Ascot Vale West Primary School primary welfare officer Kristy Holmes said the garden was created to have a calming effect.
“The garden is designed to be sensory and contains edible herbs, various smells, touch and wind chimes for the students to involve themselves in,” she said.
Ms Holmes said the bench would work well in the school to reduce instances of social isolation and improve wellbeing.
“The buddy bench is a reminder for our students to look up, look around and look out for each other,” she said.
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It would also help making new friends a little less daunting for new students.
“It can also be used if students friends are not at school that day,” Ms Holmes said.
The space was partially funded by the Flemington Kensington Rotary Club who helped to build the new bench and garden, including eco-friendly self-watering planters.
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