A buddy bench has been unveiled at Ancrum Road Primary in tribute to a pupil’s uncle.
The family of Euan Macdonald gifted the bench to the school in his memory in the hope it will encourage youngsters at the school to sit with their classmates if they need company or feel sad or upset.
Euan, 39, who passed away a year ago, has a nephew, Jake Macdonald, 6, in primary two at Ancrum Road Primary.
And his niece, Lois, 4, is due to start at the school next year.
Kym Walker, acting principal teacher, said: “Euan’s mum wanted to have the bench at the school because his nephews and nieces are either at Ancrum Road Primary already or will be attending the school so it would mean something to the family to have it here.
“The children are absolutely loving it and are using it now.
“You see the little ones coming and sitting on it and a buddy comes over to join them – it is lovely to see.”
Pupils learning about the buddy bench
A buddy book which goes with the bench has been read to pupils at assembly so they know what the buddy bench is for.
Kym said: “The buddy bench is there so no-one feels left on their own in the playground – everyone has a chum or a buddy to play with.
“The P7s and P6s are actually our buddies in the school so if they see anyone on the bench alone, it is their job to go over and find them someone to play with.”
She added: “We would like to thank the family for this donation in memory of Euan.”
Euan’s mum Joan said: “A buddy bench is a bench which children should sit on if
they ever feel sad, upset, worried or perhaps just a little bit lonely.
“How this works in a school is that by sitting on this bench, it would show the teachers and all of the other children that you’re in need of a friend or a ‘buddy’.
“We are therefore very thankful to the head teacher and staff for allowing us to place
this memorial to Euan in the playground at Ancrum Road Primary School.”
An unveiling ceremony was carried out at the school last week when Euan’s relatives joined school staff to mark the occasion.
