At Junior School, building a strong foundation in social-emotional learning is a key priority. One of the most impactful ways we support this is through our involvement in the globally recognised URSTRONG program which is designed to support children in creating healthy, feel-good friendships. A highlight of this initiative is the URSTRONG Day of Friendship, which is a cornerstone of our learning from Year 1 to Year 6.
URSTRONG equips students with a range of tools to manage their relationships effectively, for example “Friendship Fire” is a concept which helps children conflict in a safe and respectful way. By recognising that every friendship has moments of disagreement, students are encouraged to talk it out using “I” statements and calm communication. The Friend-o-Meter—a popular infographic from URSTRONG—helps students visually sort friendships into healthy (green), unhealthy (yellow), or toxic (red) zones, guiding their decisions and reflections on how they feel in different social situations.
The Four Friendship Facts, another key infographic, teach children that no friendship is perfect, that every friendship is different, and that trust and respect are essential for strong connections. These facts help our students normalise challenges and approach relationships with a growth mindset. Through these lessons, students come to understand that managing friendships is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice.
Our ongoing commitment to the URSTRONG program reflects our belief that social-emotional wellbeing is just as important as academic growth. We encourage families to reinforce these tools at home by using the same friendship language and exploring the URSTRONG Family Resources together. By working in partnership, we can continue to nurture a culture of kindness, respect, and connection across our school community.