EVERY face has a place at Dandy West Primary.
This is the catchphrase for stage one of Dandenong West Primary School’s KidsMatter journey.
The school launched the program and its new friendship seat on 14 March with students, their families and service providers.
KidsMatter is a national whole-school approach to improving children’s mental health and well-being that offers tools and strategies to help schools, parents, carers, health services and the wider community.
“We provided every student with either a yellow or purple balloon that had a smiley face printed on it,” the school’s primary welfare officer Filiz Omer said.
“The yellow and purple colours were chosen as these colours are significant of the Better Buddies Friendship Seat and the student buddies program at our school.”
The school recently installed the seat as part of a community initiative from the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.
“On our launch evening we showcased our new friendship seat as a ‘photo booth’ for families and students,” Filiz said.
“Our friendship seat is another safe way for students to express that they have no-one to play with.
“The friendship seat has played a significant role in our students’ sense of belonging and connectedness to the school and their peers.
“All of our students, in particular our senior students, understand that they have an important buddy and leadership role to ensure that their peers are not isolated during play times.”
