Friendship day: Newcastle PS

Why?

Newcastle Primary and Community School planned ‘friendship day’ to build positive relationships in school, improve pupils’ self-esteem, encourage responsible attitudes and valuing of differences …and to be FUN! The day was held at the beginning of the school session to encourage pupils to get along and perceive themselves as a team. The school also wanted to promote the role of older pupils in supporting and caring for younger children.

What?

The key to the day was to draw together a whole range of activities oriented around the theme of friendship, involving groups of pupils of mixed ages. Activities included:

• An anti-bullying talk and questionnaire
• Circle time
• Drama
• Personal safety
• Team games
• Inputs from external organisations
• P7s devised an advice leaflet for all pupils on bullying
• An additional, anti-bullying leaflet was sent home to parents

The day was used in school as a catalyst for ongoing discussions about relationships and friendship, rather than being an end in itself. These themes were followed through in circle time and drama, where children explored linked issues such as peer pressure, racial incidents and inequality. And the approach didn’t stop with pupils…staff received training on pupil welfare and encouraging playground games so that they could play their part in the overall direction.

Factfile

Newcastle Primary and Community School has a roll of 160 and is in Glenrothes, Fife.

Want to know more?...contact Mrs McFarlane, HT, newcastleps.headteacher@fife.gov.uk

Special thanks to Adam, Pupil Council Rep (P7) who submitted an entry to the Scottish Education Awards, which gave this good practice example