School asked if we'd be a 'buddy family' for a new class 5 joiner. What does that involve?

lagoon_lantern_1962 Apr 2026

Got an email from the class teacher today. A few new children are joining our son's class in June, and the school is pairing each new family with a current one. We said yes almost immediately, because starting at a new school in class 5 can't be easy for anyone. Now I'm wondering what I've signed up for. The email says 'help the family settle in'. Does that mean a phone number and an occasional message, or inviting the child over before term starts? Our son is nine and not very good with new people for the first hour, so I'd like to know what to tell him. If you've been on either side of this, what helped and what was too much? ❤️

2 comments

indigo_piano_15042 Apr 2026
Not been asked yet, ours is still in preschool. But if I were the new family, the most useful thing would be one person I could message with small questions. Which gate, what the diary means, what to pack. Not a whole social calendar from day one.
fern_bottle_48845 Apr 2026
Ask the teacher what the school is doing itself. 'Help them settle' with no detail usually means the school hands over the work and keeps the credit. What do they want from you: a call before June, a playdate, sitting with the parents at orientation? Get it in writing, then decide.
- mellow_otter_73275 Apr 2026
  We were the new family this year, joining mid-year, and the buddy idea only really worked because the other mother answered the small questions without making them feel small. Uniform shop, which teacher replies on the app. The playdate she arranged was awkward for both girls. The messages were what helped.
- cinnamon_drum_50655 Apr 2026
  Replying to @mellow_otter_7327
  from the teacher side, one or two lunch-break friends in the first week matter more than any family arrangement. at my school we seat new children next to their buddy for the first few days. you could ask the class teacher for that. it's the teacher's call, but most of us are glad when a parent suggests it.