Our High Schools Program is currently delivered to over 200 young people across 9 High Schools around the Sydney region and we are growing!
We take a young person with an Intellectual Disability (ID) from the Support Unit of a school and match them with another young person without an ID from the mainstream school with the aim of creating a one-to-one friendship.
Matches are made based on similar age, geographical location, same gender where suitable and shared interests wherever possible.
We ask each pair to communicate and see each other regularly, both within and outside of, school. Our dedicated Program Managers visit regularly and support pairs in a number of ways, including helping the best matches to be made; training in best practice; setting up a supportive group (‘Chapter’) at each school; fostering a young leadership team (‘Officers’); organising family meetings and monitoring friendship development.
There are regular opportunities to participate in inter-school activities through the year organised by Best Buddies Australia. In previous years our schools have gone to Luna Park, Bare Foot Bowls, BBA Amazing Race@Centennial Park, 3D Movies, 10-Pin Bowling as well as participating in our Annual Leadership Conference.
If you are interested in setting up a High Schools Chapter, or would like to support an existing one, please contact either Natalie or Mark on 02 8916 7393
