Friendly Schools

In 2023 Phoenix Primary School introduced the Friendly Schools Program, which is researched and distributed by Telethon Kids Institute. This covers the social and emotional areas within the Health Curriculum.

The Friendly Schools program focuses on Social, Emotional and Anti Bullying Initiatives. Developed with 20 years of research, it is nationally and internationally recognised for enhancing students’ health and wellbeing. This program provides schools with a reflection tool that can be used to help schools identify current strengths and needs within the school community. By strategically planning for the schools needs it helps to build the capacity to address any gaps, using widely tested strategies.

The Friendly Schools program is designed to explicitly teach Social and Emotional skills on five key areas:

Self-awareness skills- Students will learn to recognise and understand their feelings and value their strengths and abilities.
Self-management skills- Students will learn to manage their emotions in appropriate ways and learn strategies to develop resilience.
Social awareness skills- Students will learning to identify and be respectful of the feelings and perspectives of others.
Relationship skills- Students will learn to make and maintain friendships and deal positively with conflict.
Social decision-making skills- Students will learn to consider the consequences of their actions and make thoughtful, effective decisions.

(Cross, Thompson & Erceg, 2013)