Bear of a time at Tatura Primary

By Georgia Tacey

Mar 15, 2024

Year 6 Robbie Knowles and Prep student Darcy Kay with buddy bear Cool Dude. Photo by Kelly Carmody

For many Preps, transitioning from kindergarten to primary school can be fun but a little scary.

At Tatura Primary School, the new Prep students are assigned a Year 6 buddy, who will help them ease into the school and be a helping hand during their first year.

The Year 6s also design buddy bears to give to the Preps as part of their Year 5 art project, but this year’s bears are extra special.

Principal Susanne Gill said because it’s such a big step from kindergarten to primary school, the school wanted to support their youngest students as much as possible.

“Each of our Foundation students is paired up with a grade six child, and we just see some fantastic relationships being built,” she said.

“As part of the art project in grade five, the students make little buddy bears [but this year] they were knitted by the Country Woman’s Association and donated to us, which was lovely.

“They [the students] decorate them and give them to their buddies during the transition program.”

We spoke to five pairs of buddies to see how the Year 6s are enjoying the buddy program and how the Preps are finding their new school.

Robbie Knowles, Year 6

What do you love about the buddy program?

“The responsibility and being able to play with Darcy.”

Darcy Kay, Prep

What do you love about being at your new school?

“Playing soccer and basketball with my buddy.”