Leadership without a badge
Leadership doesn’t always come with a title. Sometimes, it’s found in the quiet moments - a Year 6 student tying a shoelace, reading a story under a tree, or offering a reassuring hand on the first day of school.
The Buddy Program is a cherished tradition that pairs Year 6 students with Kindergarten children for a full year of connection, mentorship, and shared experiences.
The relationship begins even earlier, at Kindergarten Orientation, where buddies meet and begin building trust before the school year starts.
Throughout Terms 1 and 2, buddies meet weekly for reading, maths games, craft activities, and shared lunches. They celebrate milestones together – like 100 Days of Kindy and Pyjama Day – and form bonds that often last well beyond the school year.
In the playground, Year 6 students become quiet leaders – initiating games, tying shoelaces, and guiding younger students through the social landscape of school life.
“The best part of the Buddy Program is its ability to foster meaningful connections across stages, allowing Kindergarten students to have a friendly and supportive face in the playground beyond their teachers,” says Molly Fisher, Education Assistant and former student/buddy.
Students in Year 6 develop valuable mentoring and leadership skills through this buddy program, which fosters a sense of responsibility and enables them to forge meaningful relationships with younger peers. This experience not only enhances their interpersonal abilities but also promotes empathy, confidence, and a strong sense of community.”
"It’s leadership in its purest form: unbadged, unprompted, and deeply meaningful."
A tradition rooted in values
The Buddy Program is more than a series of activities - it’s a living expression of values. It teaches responsibility through mentorship, compassion through care, and gratitude through shared moments and memories. Students often write letters to their buddies, many of which are kept as treasured keepsakes.
Growing together
The Buddy Program is a celebration of growth - not just academic, but emotional and social. It’s about learning to lead with empathy, to support others, and to find joy in shared experiences
It’s about transitioning through life’s big moments together, hand in hand.
"It’s not just a program -it’s a memory that lasts."
Three generations of buddies
Few stories capture the depth of the Buddy Program better than the one shared by Molly Fisher. As a Year 6 student, Molly was paired with a Kindergarten buddy named Addison. Fast forward to today – Molly is now an Education Assistant at the school, and Addison is in Year 10.
In a beautiful continuation of the tradition, Addison was later paired with Markus, when he started Kindergarten. Markus is now in Year 4 and, in just a few years, will have the opportunity to become a buddy himself – completing a full-circle moment of mentorship and connection.
This story is a powerful reminder of how the Buddy Program weaves through the lives of families, creating lasting bonds and shared memories that span not just years, but generations.