At Talbot Heath, we understand that friendships play a central role in a child’s development—especially during the formative years in our Junior Department. These early relationships can be a source of joy, support, and belonging, but they also come with challenges. That’s why we place great importance on helping our pupils learn how to build and sustain healthy, positive friendships.
To support this, we’ve created a unique weekly assembly series for our KS1 and KS2 pupils, centred around a metaphorical journey: building a ship called The Friendship. Each part of the ship represents a key skill or value that helps children understand what it means to be a good friend and how to navigate the ups and downs of social life.
Here’s how the ship comes together:
- The Hull – The foundation of any ship, just as trust and kindness are the foundation of new friendships.
- The Mast – A symbol of support, standing tall and helping others through challenges.
- The Sail – Represents teamwork and the unique strengths each person brings to a group.
- The Anchor – A reminder of the trusted adults—at home and at school—who help steady us when friendships feel uncertain.
- The Flag – Celebrates individuality and encourages girls to embrace who they are, without feeling pressure to change to fit in.
- The Life Ring – A symbol of responsibility, reminding us to include others and offer support when someone feels left out.
- The Rough Sea – Reflects the inevitable ups and downs of friendships. We teach our pupils how to manage these moments with empathy and resilience.
This initiative is more than just a series of assemblies—it’s part of our broader commitment to nurturing kind, confident, and emotionally intelligent individuals. As girls move into the Senior School, relationships naturally become more complex. That’s why we continue to build on these foundations through PSHE lessons and tutor time, where themes of empathy, communication, and conflict resolution are explored in greater depth.
And when the seas get rough, our pupils are never alone. Whether it’s through the support of their tutor, Head of Key Stage, or our dedicated pastoral space, Oasis, we ensure every girl has someone to turn to.
By starting early and continuing throughout their school journey, we aim to equip our pupils with a lifelong toolkit for building meaningful, respectful, and resilient relationships—skills that will serve them well far beyond the classroom.
Wishing your family a lovely weekend.
Mrs Harris and Mrs Brown
Take a look at all the fabulous events coming up, including the PSS Laser Show and our school production of SIX Teen Edition here.
If you would like to discover more, you can book a visit or open event here
Check what’s on in school on our calendar here
Sports Fixtures can be found here
Follow us on social media here, Facebook and Instagram,
