Parkes Christian School has a colourful new addition to their Sensory Garden - a Buddy Bench.
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Parkes Christian School established the Sensory Garden earlier this year after successfully attaining grant funds.
As part of the sensory garden, they wanted to include a Buddy Bench – a seat designed for primary school playgrounds.
It is a place for a student to sit who may be feeling lonely, has been left out of a game or simply doesn’t have the social skills to be able to join in with others.
Parkes Christian School students are educated on what the Buddy Bench is used for.
They are taught it is their special job of ensuring any child seen sitting on the bench is invited to come and join in their game.
Special Education Teacher Angela Wilson said the bench is teaching children the value of inclusion and helping them to recognise when someone is feeling isolated or left out.
“It has been a wonderful addition to our school,” Angela said.
Not only does it look colourful and inviting, but it is helping students to build new friendships, problem solve situations in the playground and develop empathy for others.”
Anthony Whitney (Whitney’s Welding and Bobcat Hire) built the Buddy Bench and kindly donated it to Parkes Christian School after helping with the landscaping of the schools Sensory Garden.
As one of their Projects, CWASNAG (Central West Autism & Special Needs Awareness Group) organised with Anthony to build another 10 Buddy Benches to be installed into every Primary School in Parkes, Forbes and Peak Hill.
With the help of Jodie Goonrey from John Holland, all 10 benches have now been purchased by local businesses for donation to the Project.
Bunnings in Forbes have donated the paint and paintbrushes as well as some of their staff to help the John Holland staff and members of CWASNAG to paint the benches.
John Holland staff will then install them into the schools.
“A huge thank you goes to Anthony Whitney for building the Buddy Benches for us,” Angela said.
“Also to Warren Monks (Senior Project Manager) and Jodie Goonrey (Administration Assistant) of John Holland who have provided the support and resources to make this project happen so quickly.
“Thank you also to Forbes Bunnings for their donations and to Cindy Harrison from TTT Signs in Parkes for her donation of the beautiful Buddy Bench signs.”