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Friends & Year 7

15th June 2020

Friends & Lockdown

Last week we were focusing our attention on 'Friendship', how to make friends, make memories and connect at a 2 metre distance. For more ideas check out our latest YouTube video

Friends & Yr7

Over the last few weeks we've been trialling our Transition Workshop online with a primary school. We are now opening it to any Year 6 in Swale who would like to get involved. We also have released our brand new Year 6 Transition Workbook to any Year 6 to work through! Download it here

Our Peer Mentors have also got a message for you if you are starting secondary school in September. Scroll to the bottom to see their encouragement. 

Friendship Is For A Reason A Season A Lifetime

I grew up in a town where all six primary schools fed into a large comprehensive. This meant that I moved up to Year 7 with my friendship group but also had the exciting opportunity to make new friends. 

I made friends with people who I knew from my youth group (but had gone to other primary schools), I made friends with their friends. I hung out with a group of boys from our tutor group, when the girls talked about make up and clothes (and I just wasn't that interested in the topic!). I made friends with the girls who's tutor group was next door to ours, and who walked home a similar way to me. I made friends through drama club and choir. I put my parents phone bill through the roof by calling my bff for hours on end to discuss, well anything and everything. 

I also remember being worried about friendships, whether I really fitted in, did people really like me? I remember lying to my friends about liking Take That over East 17 (ask your parents) just to fit in, and not auditioning for the school play because I didn't want to be alone in it. I found great adults to talk to (my youth leader, a teacher), and as I grew through secondary school, I learnt the best friends love you for who you are, accept you and encourage you (even by auditioning for plays they really don't want to be part of).

I love the quote above because it is so true. Once I left secondary school, friendships changed. With my closest friends the other side of England (Bristol) we drifted, and that's not a bad thing, it is just the way of life and nothing to worry about. My close friends here in Kent come from; my uni years, my workplace, the theatre and church, they are from a variety of backgrounds and ages! They are my people now. Friendships are for a season, a reason and a lifetime but all are beneficial!

My best friend from school, turned out to be a lifetime friend. We were a year apart but knew each other from drama club and being forced to hang out by our parents (who were friends!). She was the one who had me over for hundreds of sleepovers when my parents were divorcing, she fed my chocolate while I cried over my first break up and I have a letter she wrote to me, which to this day still boosts my self esteem. She may live the other side of the country but I still get to see her as I am now her son's God mum! Invest in your friends, choose to be a good friend, and fill your friendship with laughter and memories.

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