Friendship, Spring 2, 2024
Our St. Wulstan’s value for the second half of the Spring Term 2024 is Friendship.
Children will be thinking about what it means to be a friend to all. In class, the children will be discussing what this means to them and hearing stories about the importance of being a good friend. The children have Monday whole school assemblies over the course of the half term on the value of friendship, including:
- Thinking about how they can build lasting friendships
- Considering how they can help their friends in times of need
- Recognising that although they sometimes fall out with their friends, their words and actions can restore friendships
- Value their friendships by valuing people over possessions
- Recognising that Jesus is their friend
Friendship is an undisputed value in our society, with children often spending more time with their friends than with family. It is a key concept in the Christian framework, with Jesus being criticised for being ˜the friend of sinners’ and eating with those whom society rejected. The barriers between people are broken down in a loving community around God and Jesus had stern words to say to those who refused to recognise that all are included in this community of friendship.
Friends are not afraid to tell each other the truth and a friend’s loving criticism is worth more than the empty compliments of someone who does not really care for you. The friendship of David and Jonathan is very strongly emphasised in the Bible, Abraham is described as the friend of God (James 2:23) and Jesus explicitly calls his disciples not servants but friends (John 15:14 – 15). True friendship enables each person to grow and ensures that the unique individuality of each person is recognised. All this echoes the Value placed by God on the preciousness of each person.
By exploring the value of friendship, we hope this will help the children to develop their personal and social skills. Forming, developing and sustaining friendships is an important part of a child’s life and the purpose of our friendship value is to enable pupils to practise these skills and foster positive relationships within the classroom setting.
As part of their home learning, we would like the children to think about what they can do to be a good friend. Please could you support us by talking to your child about their ideas and encourage them to think about things they could say or do.
As Christians, we believe that truth is revealed in the Bible and supremely in the person and life of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ teaching we are given an insight into the nature of God and the way in which He means us to live.
We should consider the following questions:
- How does the school support and encourage friendship bonds by providing opportunities for children to work cooperatively and collaboratively in pairs and in groups?
- How does the school community find ways to support and include pupils who might be left out of friendship groups?
- How does the school help pupils to restore broken friendships and promote reconciliation? How does the school help children know where they might receive advice and support if they need it?
Example Bible Stories
David and Jonathan
1 Samuel Chapter 18
Friendship Prayer
Loving God,
Bless my life with the gift of friendship,
For those who have chosen to be my friend,
I am grateful,
Let our love, respect and affection for each other flourish.
Make me a good friend, one who is loyal and caring and ready to forgive.
To you who are our truest friend I pray.
Amen
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul (Proverbs 27:9)
Laugh with your happy friends when they are happy; share tears when they are down (Romans 12:15)
Each week we will give a special ‘Friendship ’ candle and certificate to those children who demonstrate good values and place their names on our St. Wulstan’s Values Tree.
We hope your family will find these accompanying ideas helpful to explore together click here
Please do remember, if you would like to share how your child shows a value at home, please do download a Values Feather and tell us all about it.