The Better Buddies framework

Better Buddies Framework Overview
Creating friendly and caring school communities

One of the most common forms of violence in the lives of children is bullying, with one in six children being bullied each week.  Bullying can have a devastating effect on a child.  In addition, children who portray bullying behaviours are more likely to commit anti-social behaviour and criminal acts.

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s key prevention program is the Better Buddies Framework, an initiative designed to create friendly and caring primary school communities where bullying is reduced.

In Better Buddies, children in their first and last year of primary school buddy up and learn the values: caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility through formal weekly activities and informal interaction outside of the classroom.  Better Buddies enables younger children to feel safe and cared for while older children feel valued and respected. 

Buddy Bear is the mascot of Better Buddies who embodies the values and promotes a feeling of care, safety, warmth and comfort.

Better Buddies is designed to enhance existing buddy programs or introduce a buddy program to schools for the first time.  The evidence-based framework complements existing school welfare programs, is easy to implement and links to national curriculum initiatives.  Other benefits of Better Buddies are that it teaches social skills, incorporates a wide range of buddy activities, provides training for older buddies, has understudy buddies, and aims to reduce bullying.

Better Buddies builds unique and special relationships to create friendly and caring school communities where bullying is reduced.

Every child has a right to be safe from victimisation, violence and abuse at school. ‘It is a fundamental democratic right for a child to feel safe in school and to be spared the oppression and repeated, intentional humiliation implied in bullying.’ (Dan Olweus 2001)

Bullying is when a student (or group) with more power repeatedly and intentionally uses words or actions against another student that cause distress and create a risk to their wellbeing. Bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional or social and can be carried out in person, through manipulation or electronically. (Helen McGrath, The National Safe Schools Framework Best Practice Grants Programme Final Report 2006). For a summary report please visit www.ncab.org.au

Buddy Bear was created by Michael Salmon: www.michaelsalmon.com.au