Friendships and Belonging

Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves several skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some, these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences with new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate.

Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial to a young person’s wellbeing. It gives them a sense of security, helping them feel valued, which in turn builds their confidence.

Positive friendships are an important part of the journey to adulthood. Adult carers can support their child by providing guidance in the many social and emotional skills required for a healthy relationship. This will help them to obtain, retain and maintain friendships.

Not all friendship is regarded as positive. Sometimes young people develop negative or toxic friendships. Therefore, it is also important for them to learn how to identify, avoid or deal with such a friendship.

Charlie Mackesy is a British illustrator and author who manages to encapsulate the true essence of Strength and Kindliness. His book ‘The Boy, the Mole and the Horse’ is a story of friendship and life lessons. When I turned to it recently again it fell open to the image included. This sentiment is exactly Kilbreda’s school motto, Strength and Kindliness – the kindness of the College community abounds and the care sitting behind all we do gives us strength.

Health and Wellbeing Impacts Learning

Daylight Savings is always hard to navigate at the start. While the extra daylight at night is great, it does take a while for your body to get into a rhythm. It is important to work out a good system, which includes a reasonable bedtime, remembering nine hours sleep is optimal. Spend time to help your daughter work out a plan for this term. Balance is important between schoolwork, sport and downtime. If there are times where your daughter cannot finish homework communicate this by writing a note in their Student Planner to the teacher; this avoids them feeling uneasy about not having completed the work.

At Kilbreda College, we don’t shy away from challenges. Our students are therefore resilient, independent learners who are ready to face an ever-changing world. We know that end of year assessments still brings stress and uncertainty, which is why it’s important to remember that learning happens each day!

Leah Cristiano
Level Leader: Year 7