You’ve got a friend in me: Blackfriars Buddies are back

It’s time to buddy up at Blackfriars.

Blackfriars’ highly successful Buddy Program has returned for 2023, with the inaugural “getting to know you” sessions held last week.

Students from Years 9 and 10 were paired with Primary School students, Year 11s joined with Year 7s and Year 12s with Year 8s. The boys will remain with the same buddies throughout the year.

APRIM (Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission) Angela Collins said the Buddy Program was vital in developing cross-school relationships.

“This year, we aim to nurture cross-age relationships with our boys to foster a greater sense of belonging in our friendly and supportive community,” Ms Collins said.

“We hope our younger students can learn from the experience of our older boys, who have journeyed a bit further along the path of education.

“And it would be wonderful if our older students can be reminded of the joy of learning and the inherent zest for all things we so often see in our younger boys.

“This is a win-win scenario. We hope all of our students approach our 2023 Buddy Program with an open mind and heart.”

Year 10 student Ayush Kharel, whose buddies are Jack Galkowski, in Year 6, and Emmanuel Gonzales, in Year 4, said the program was a great way to build connections across the school.

“For the older boys, it gives us a chance to step up and act as mentors,” Ayush said.

“And it’s great for our younger buddies to know they have a friend in the Secondary School who they can turn to when they need. It’s also nice when they move into the Secondary School themselves to have those pre-existing relationships with the older boys.”

Jack said the program gave him an opportunity to connect with his peers.

“The Buddy Program is awesome and so much fun,” he said.

“All peers have unique learning traits, as I am learning with my Year 4 and Year 10 buddies.”