For our graduating class, September marks the start of a nine-month-long mad dash to the finish line. Students start the year with an ever-growing, mile-long list of assignments, essays, and due dates. And yet, they will always ask about one thing before all else – who is my Kinderbuddy?

Favourite Kinderbuddy Memories
from the class of 2023

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I tried explaining (Theory of Knowledge) TOK to my buddy. I asked her, “If you had three pieces of candy, would you be morally obligated to give your friend who has none, a piece of your candy?” She responded, “No, I would give them two”. ISABEL K.

 

My kinderbuddy loved making funny faces. She would say, “hey watch this!” and make funny faces with her tongue. My favourite memory with her would have to be the easter egg hunt. She ran around, we had fun, and we even got to see a cow at the campground. VERONICA L.

 

I was playing hide-and-seek with my very energetic kinderbuddy, Emma, and she was hiding under a table. I lifted the tablecloth and she popped out from underneath, jumped on me, and gave me a big tackle-hug. I’ll never forget her spunky personality. AMY W.

 

I showed Kashvi, my buddy, how sycamore seeds when thrown in the air, spun as they fell to the ground, which she really enjoyed. It was a very special moment for me because I recall how much I loved these seeds when I was younger, and I appreciated being able to share my love for them with her. I also really enjoyed this moment as it was one of our first genuine bonding moments, and because she started to stuff as many seeds as she could find in her pockets for later, which I found very cute. PEIGHTON H.

 

My favourite moments with my kinderbuddy were watching her fascination with the smallest things, like wood chips and leaves. She found wonder in things I take for granted and it reminded me to take time to truly appreciate my surroundings. SARAYU N.

 

My buddy and Akira’s buddy decided they would imprison Akira. They yelled, “Only the sand monster can save him!” Then they began chasing after all the other Grade 12 students and “imprisoning” them. GRACE Y.

 

My favourite kinderbuddy moments would be just playing on the playground or running on the field with my buddy, while we all laugh and smile together. GORDON B.

 

We were on the field and I asked my buddy what she wanted to do. “I want to show you my handstand” she said. When she tried to do a handstand, she realised the grass was soaking and suddenly stopped. She stood there with her hands out, paused, and stared at me showing me her hands, and didn’t know what to do. She then went to the soccer goalposts and wiped her hands on them to dry them off. Also, I can’t forget about how unnaturally strong she was for a little kid. She would just hang from the monkey bars and made it look so easy. CARRIGAN M.

 

The first time we all went to the playground, my kinderbuddy immediately ran and climbed up the structure and jumped off, so right then and there I knew he had a lot of energy. This reminded me that we were all once at that chaotic age. JASON L.

In an effort to influence pairings, students have gotten pretty creative over the years. The selection team has witnessed undercover scouting missions, coffee cards as tokens of bribery, impassioned pleads, and attempted dibs. All attempts are fruitless; the selection process is resistant to trickery and persuasion.

So, who decides? And how do they decide? It may surprise you to learn that kinderbuddy pairings are not made at random. They are a result of thoughtful deliberation and discussion. Once a year, the Kinderbuddy selection team, comprised of post-secondary counsellors and Kindergarten teachers, dedicate an entire afternoon to just one thing: making matches.

Our Kindergarten teachers are the first ones up, taking turns introducing each of their students. They'll talk about their personalities—outgoing or shy, boisterous or relaxed, talkative or more reserved—and about their ideal, Grade 12 match. It goes beyond matching trait for trait. There is a genuine discussion about each and every pairing. The team takes their responsibility in earnest, and they have fun with it.

It's clear there is no set formula to follow. The pairings are a result of the team's genuine understanding of each of their students. It goes beyond the surface, beyond hobbies, gender, or shared language. The team pairs up students who will bring out the best in each other—not just for our kindergartners, but our graduates too. With every match made, the excitement is palpable. The room lights up when a pairing so perfectly obvious is made.

And so, the afternoon goes: one by one, duo by duo, matches are made. During the entirety of the afternoon, not one match stumps the team. Some may have been trickier and required more consideration, but each match was made with purpose. It's no wonder, really, why the program is such a success. The bond between buddies is strong.

In late September, the buddies meet up for the very first time, playing hide-and-seek, climbing the playground, running, jumping, or making mud pies. Throughout the year, the buddies get together for pumpkin picking, gardening, decorating gingerbread cookies, campfires, Easter egg hunts, and many more adventures. With every meeting, the bonds between our buddies get stronger and the care for each other gets deeper.

In May, as our Grade 12 students prepare to embark on their next chapter, they bid a bittersweet farewell to their beloved Kindergarten buddies. From the first day they held hands, shared stories, and explored the wonders of learning together, an extraordinary bond was forged.

Over the year, laughter, guidance, and countless cherished memories were exchanged, creating a special friendship. Our buddies will always remember the games played, the stories shared, and the dreams woven together. As they part ways, we hope they carry the spirit of friendship, compassion, and lifelong learning in their hearts. Many graduates will come back to visit their Kinderbuddy as alumni. Oftentimes, buddies write to one another as pen pals, with extended birthday party invites and wedding invitations years later, the bonds these students make are priceless.

Three Generations
of Kinderbuddies

Jade Simpson ‘23, Alannah Olah ‘11 & Jocelyn S. ‘35

Alannah recently attended Convocation to celebrate her Kinderbuddy Jade Simpson’s ’23 graduation. Over the years, Alannah and Jade have kept in touch and it was so surreal for the pair to have experienced both the Kindergarten and Grade 12 side of Kinderbuddies. Jade was thrilled to introduce her buddy, Jocelyn, to Alannah.

Alannah’s Favourite Kinderbuddy Memory
Our Grade 12 class convinced Mr. Graveson into doing an aquarium field trip with our buddies versus the traditional zoo field trip. We loaded up the bus nice and early and headed downtown. It was so much fun.

I convinced myself that we could see and do everything in the time there – a big undertaking but I had a game plan. The last thing on our list was the 4D whale movie. I was sure we could watch the whole show and make the bus.

We got our 3D glasses and sat down. We watched the show and when we exited the mini theatre, my cellphone was going crazy. Mr. Graveson phoned me, Mrs. Mohoruk phoned, Ms. Warner and all my friends were texting. All the Grade 12 students and their Kinderbuddies were already on the bus. We were the last ones they were waiting on.

I loaded up mine and Jade’s backpack, put Jade on my back and I ran! We ran all the way back to the bus while I piggybacked Jade. We made it, of course, they wouldn’t leave us behind! And on the way home, Jade fell asleep on my shoulder. She had a great day and I’m so happy we spent the day together!

Njideka Obioha ‘11, Sarayu Nambiar ‘23, Anne Liao ‘11, & Cathy L. ‘35

12 years ago, Anne watched over her Kindergarten buddy, Sarayu Nambiar ‘23, as she played. Today, Anne watched her buddy walk the stage as a graduate and met Sarayu’s little buddy, Cathy. Three generations of Kinderbuddies reunited for a bittersweet hello and goodbye – for now! See you in 2035 when three become four generations as Cathy walks the stage at her convocation.

Anne’s Favourite Kinderbuddy Memory
One day at lunch, Sarayu asked me what classes I had that morning, and I said biology and chemistry. She looked at me in confusion, so I added that they were science classes. She then asked me with innocent eyes, “What’s science?”

For a second, I didn’t know what to say, then I realized I had to explain “science” to her (which isn’t as easy as it seems). I told her that science is a way of learning about how things in the world work, so like learning about our human body, or why balls fall to the ground when we drop them. Then, she nodded with understanding and said something along the lines of, “That’s like inquiry class!”

Our science conversation prompted me to remember that we are all taught things and gain knowledge as we grow up, and not to take for granted the knowledge that I have, because I might be the one teaching in the future!