Wellbeing & Culture

Celebrating International Friendship Day  Thursday, 30 July 2026

On Thursday, 30 July, it is International Friendship Day. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the important role that friendships play in our lives and to celebrate the kindness and connection that help our school community thrive.

Friendship plays an important role in children's wellbeing. Positive friendships help children feel safe, valued and connected, while also supporting the development of important social and emotional skills such as empathy, cooperation, communication and resilience. Like any skill, building and maintaining healthy friendships takes practice, and every child benefits from guidance and encouragement along the way.

Throughout the week, students will be encouraged to reflect on what it means to be a good friend and to look for simple ways to show kindness to others. Small acts—such as inviting someone to join a game, offering encouragement, listening with care or helping a classmate—can make a lasting difference and help everyone feel that they belong.

Supporting friendship at home

Families play an important role in helping children develop positive friendship skills. You can support your child by:

• Talking about the qualities of a good friend, such as kindness, honesty, respect and inclusion.
• Encouraging your child to notice when someone may be feeling left out and discussing ways they can help others feel welcome.
• Modelling positive communication and respectful ways to resolve disagreements.
• Recognising and celebrating acts of kindness, both at home and at school.

It is also helpful to remember that there is no "right" number of friends. Some children are happiest with a large group, while others prefer one or two close friendships. What matters most is that children have relationships where they feel respected, accepted and supported.

As we celebrate International Friendship Day on Thursday, 30 July, we encourage everyone in our school community to remember that even the smallest act of kindness can brighten someone's day. Together, we can continue to create a school where every child feels welcomed, included and valued.

Kelly Goodgame – On behalf of the Wellbeing and Culture Team