The big kids at Mt Warrigal Public School supported preschoolers and Kindergarten students at the annual event. Photos: Keeli Royle.
Crafty creations showcased at an Easter celebration have helped bridge the gap between preschool and primary school, with older students supporting those preparing to transition into big school.
Two laps around a parade circuit were just the start for students at Mount Warrigal Public School, with the school leaders and their classmates helping guide the younger cohort into their next stage of education.
The buddies worked hand in hand to bring the little kids’ visions to life, prepared them with what to expect at the event, and stood by their side when the spotlight was on them.
“Most of the us had to make Easter hats with the little kids and we just helped them out with activities and stuff,” Year 6 leader Justin Lakeman said.
“We took them around the chairs so people could take photos of them and made sure they’re having fun,” fellow leader Hunter Robinson added.
Preschooler Aubyn King-Brown was determined that he had the best hat on the day.
“It has pom-poms and ducks and chickens,” he said. “I made it with the big kids.”
Through the relationships fostered in the lead up to the event, the young kids learned a lot more than how to create fun hats.
“It’s so they can grow up to be a good, nice person,” Hunter said. “And treat others the way you want to be treated.
“And know that they’ve got people that they can rely on.”
“It’s important that they know what it’s like when they’re as old as us and working with us they learn the skills that they’ll use when they work with the little kids when they’re older too,” leader Gemma Russell said.
Teacher Jasmine Mandile said the bonds formed extended long beyond Easter.
“It’s beautiful, especially because you see it again on the playground later on,” she said.
Mt Warrigal teacher Jasmine Mandile has watched the children thrive through the buddy system.
“You see them go up to the little kids that they were helping a couple of weeks before; it’s really nice.
“And then they know that they have someone else around them if they get into trouble on the playground; it’s not just teachers, it’s also the big kids as well.”
The school is one of a handful in the Illawarra that have a public preschool on site, which allows bonds to begin before students start Kindergarten.
“It creates such a good community within the school having a buddy class system that we have,” Jasmine said. “Having the preschoolers coming down, it means that they can integrate with all the older kids and get used to what it’s going to be like when they do come to big school.
“I think it’s such a scary thing for any little kid, but when they’re here and immersed with all the other kids it cuts that transition in half for them.”
Preschoolers participate in several transition activities in the year before starting school such as excursions to different areas of the school and being involved in whole school events.
The older kids see the benefits as well, as they prepare for their own next step.
“Especially for our school leaders,” Jasmine said. “It really showcases what it’s like to be a leader as they go into high school.”
