This term in Health, I am delighted that all the children will participate in the ‘Friendology’ program by URSTRONG. Research shows that relationships are at the heart of wellbeing and learning. This term, the children will become ‘Friendship Ninjas’ and learn practical, step by step strategies for navigating friendships and friendship groups. The program will teach the students about what is normal in a friendship and the difference between healthy and unhealthy friendships. It discusses ‘friendship fires’ and ‘mean on purpose’ behaviour and what to do about it.
In the first week of term, the Junior Classroom began their learning by creating their own personalised friendship ninja headband. They discussed how being a best friend to themselves is just as important as being a good friend to others.
The Senior years participated in an on-line tutorial delivered by the founder of URSTRONG, Dana Kerford, in which they were introduced to the ways in which they could become a friendship ninja: through self-compassion, squishing negative thoughts and recognising things they can control and those they cannot control about themselves. We are very much looking forward to the next 7 sessions!
Shelley Gibson
Health Teacher
