By Mrs Tarrant (Head of Years 7 and 9)

Friendships play an important part in school life. A good day is often shaped by positive interactions, while difficulties can make school life harder to navigate.

On Monday 10th November, Year 7 took part in their annual Friendship Day Workshop, designed to help students manage friendships with thoughtfulness and empathy. The timing of the event aligned with Anti-Bullying Week, reinforcing the importance of kindness and respect.

Centred around the film Ron’s Gone Wrong, the workshop explored themes such as isolation, bullying and how friendships can change over time. Students discussed a range of scenarios and considered how to resolve conflicts calmly and compassionately, reflecting our school’s Girls on Board approach.

Social media was another key focus. Using data gathered by Mrs Page, students reflected on their online habits and discussed how to use digital platforms positively. Mrs Hudson-Findley also shared practical advice on social media etiquette, particularly when using platforms such as WhatsApp.

Lila (Year 7) said, “Ron’s Gone Wrong Day was an amazing experience. We learned about social media, how to stay safe online and how to manage friendships. We watched Ron’s Gone Wrong in the morning and spent the rest of the day taking part in activities on these topics. My favourite part was learning how different people spend their time on their devices at home.”

Freda (Year 7) added, “Ron’s Gone Wrong helped me learn a lot more about friendships and social media as everything was explained clearly and in small sections. I liked how we watched a film first, then referred back to it during our discussions. The mix of independent and group tasks meant I could share ideas and hear different perspectives. Overall, I really enjoyed it and had lots of fun with people in and outside of my class.”