Assembly 2 ∙ Friendship
As a child makes a suggestion, write the word or phrase on a piece of A4 card and ask the child to come up and hold it so that everyone can see it. The children may mention qualities such as honesty, kindness, loyalty, helpfulness or trustworthiness. They may say a friend is someone who is always there for you; who is caring; who is someone you can talk to; or someone you can laugh with. When enough suggestions have been made, read through each word. You may wish to explore the meaning of each word further. Point out that it would be great if friends were like this all the time. 3 Explain that being a ‘good friend’ is sometimes quite a difficult thing. Ask the children to listen carefully to this poem about friendship. Friendship can be tricky at times, and this poem recognises that.
Mine did. And would a best friend say Never mind That’s OK. I did.
Best Friends by Bernard Young, from ‘What Are You Like?’, Orange Socks Press. This poem illustrates that sometimes we do and say things that, afterwards, we wish we hadn’t. It’s often this that makes us upset, angry or fall out, whether we are friends or not. 4 Read this short poem, which is about friendship and how to keep it going.
Always remember to forget Anonymous
Best Friends
by Bernard Young Would a best friend Eat your last sweet Talk behind your back Have a party and not ask you?
Always remember to forget The things that made you sad But never forget to remember The things that made you glad.
Mine did.
Always remember to forget The friends that proved untrue. But don’t forget to remember Those that have stuck by you.
Would a best friend Borrow your bike without telling you Deliberately forget your birthday Avoid you wherever possible?
Always remember to forget The troubles that have passed away. But never forget to remember The blessings that come each day.
Mine did. Would a best friend Turn up on your bike Give you a whole packet of your favourite sweets Look you in the eye? Mine did. Would your best friend say Sorry I talked about you behind your back Sorry I had a party and didn’t invite you Sorry I deliberately forgot your birthday – I thought you’d fallen out with me Assemblies for All © Paul Stanley, 2021
5 Remind the children that the only way to have a friend is to be one. Let’s try to be good friends, to our friends and to other people. Let’s think of other people’s feelings and remember that a kind word can make a big difference. Let’s remember what makes a true friend.
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