Ref. 28034-25NEW friendships are being forged at Holy Family Primary School thanks to its new buddy system.

This week saw the official launch of the scheme, in which the eldest pupils are matched with the youngest ones.

Children from Year Six (ten and 11-year-olds) act as mentors to children in the reception class (four and five-year-olds), helping them with every aspect of school life.

The 280 pupils who attend the school in Marlowe Avenue, Park North, are clearly excited by the scheme.

The older buddies formally introduced their younger friends to the school in an assembly on Monday morning.

Acting headteacher Peter Upton said: "The buddy system is transforming the school.

"It's great for combating bullying. The younger children really look up to the older children.

"Many parents of the younger children think it's great that there is someone is looking out for their little ones.

"A lot of children are more at ease coming into school now."

No same-sex pairs are allowed, so boys and girls are forced to mix with each other and friendships blossom which otherwise might not have.

Ana Swiokla, ten, of Liden, has been paired with four-year-old Connor Weatherall.

"We have to look after a boy," she said. "I probably wouldn't talk to boys if it wasn't for this.

"Having a buddy system helps everyone get to know each other.

"I would help Connor if he was in trouble."

Ten year-old Ryan Mahon of Eldene has been helping four-year-old Charlotte Daily.

"Charlotte is very shy but I think she likes me," said Ryan.

"The first time I met her she only spoke one word to me.

"We make things together in our buddy time."

Apart from time spent together in the playground, the buddies also have time set aside on Friday afternoons.

"The children have between 30 minutes and an hour on Fridays," said Mr Upton.

"In that time they do different things together such as playing or reading," he added.

The buddies are paired until the end of the year.

Mr Upton said: "The system permeates the school. It softens the children. Everyone looks out for everyone else."

Since the infant and junior school merged in January 2001, integration in the primary school has been of utmost concern to staff and education inspectors.

"It's good for the older children as it teaches them how to look after others," said Mr Upton.

"We hope that in six or seven years time the younger buddies will become older buddies, helping others as they've been helped."

And the scheme is not only aimed at pupils. New staff, governors and parents are also assigned buddies to ease them into school life.

Emma Lidbury