Seven School Wonders
Connecting through Pride in Our Schools
SCHOOL BUDDIES
AT LAAJASALO PRIMARY SCHOOL
At Laajasalo Primary School pupils chose school buddies to be our first wonder. The older buddies asked the young buddies several questions.
This is what year six buddies wrote during their English lessons after interviewing their year one buddies:
"School buddies are supposed to help smaller students to find their place in school. We do lots of different things together, read, play, talk and once we went ice-skating. Buddies are very useful, because if someone is bullying a smaller student, hopefully it's easier to turn to your school buddy. Having a buddy hopefully makes first grade something to look back to. For example, I remember my buddies, they were so nice. I told them everything, and I can just hope that my buddy will feel the same way about me in the future."
"The school buddy idea is great. Six graders support first graders in everything. I liked that idea too when I was in first class."
1. When did you hear that you will get a school buddy?
Some of them heard about getting a school buddy when they visited the school for the first time before the summer holidays. Some of them heard about school buddies during the summer and some of them heard about school buddies during the first weeks of school. Some of them have older brothers or sisters who had told them about school buddies.
2. What did you think when you found out about it?
Quite many of them were a little excited about getting a school buddy, but they were also happy about it, because it sounded like fun.
3. What use is it to have a school buddy?
The younger buddies feel that the older buddies help them in several different ways. For example, buddies help them to get to know the school rules. Buddies also give them shelter, if somebody bullies them and they support them, too. It’s like having your own bodyguard. Buddies can also help, if they get lost. And if they get hurt, their buddy can help them then as well. They feel that it’s fun to come to school when they know that they have a buddy there. They can spend time with their buddies during the breaks.
4. What have you done with your buddy that was fun?
Quite many of the little buddies said that they have liked it going skating with their older buddies in winter and reading books together in the library. They have also enjoyed talking with their older buddies and sending cards to their buddies.
5. What's it like having a school buddy?
The little buddies say it’s nice because their buddies take care of them and they can ask their buddies to help them in many things. They also feel that it’s fun to know older students.
6. The little buddy asked the older buddy: What is it like to be a school buddy?
It’s nice being a school buddy, it's always fun to hear that you've helped a smaller student.
It is also a big responsibility. Taking care of somebody younger makes us feel good. It is also nice to get to know pupils from other classes.