Friendship Spreads

As we develop the Friendship Seed project, new ideas develop. These ideas themselves are spreading friendship and we are really excited about them. We look at them as chains of friendship. One example of such spreading comes from our Inaugural Friendship Day for 13 local schools. As a result of 50 children gathering to share their stories at Kinma school (read our report below), Kinma children have been invited to other schools, their gatherings and the schools have shared their various stories of friendship. Many children are also writing letters to each other. Friendship spreads.

Inaugral Friendship Seed Day Gathering
June 19, 2009
Kinma School

June 19th was a special day indeed for 50 children from 13 schools in Sydney's northern region. Friendship Seed Day was organised by twelve students in the Older group at Kinma; it was a day filled with fun games and opportunities to share food, the local bush, each others' school philosophies and, of course, friendship band making. The thirteen schools involved were Terrey Hills Primary, the German International School, the Sydney Japanese School, Masada College, Covenant Christian School, Kamaroi Rudolph Steiner School, Belrose Primary, Forestville Montessori School, Alexander Primary School, John Colet School, HASG (Armenian) College, Northern Beaches Christian School, and of course Kinma.

Children from a broad range of cultures, religions and family value systems came together and found out about each other. They built some bridges, asked questions and laughed a lot. A highlight for many of the children was a visit to the creek and the children decided that next time just 'hanging' there together would be a great idea. The 'fainting game' was also popular as was 'food' time. Each child received a friendship band and had the opportunity to attend a workshop to learn how to make them. We hope our friends will continue to spread the 'friendship' giving bug on to their schools and beyond.

We thank some of the children who have given us some bands to be connected to the world's longest friendship band which is now growing around our classroom.

For the Kinma kids the greatest highlight was meeting kids from so many different 'worlds' and finding out they they had so much in common. Letter writing among some of the schools is also a lovely sign of continued communication.

From Friendship Day to the Japanese School Sports Day

Following our Inaugural Friendship Seed Day gathering for local schools, we were invited to some shared social events among schools. One of these was the District Sports Day held at the Sydney Japanese School.

Along with 5 other schools, Kinma took part in a day set up for some of the smaller schools in our area. A range of individual and group activities were organised in 4 colour groups. This encouraged children from all schools to mix and co-operate
rather than leaving children in school groups - a little like our mixed groups for the Friendship Day.

The children reflected on their day. Ash, Jasper and Jess 'ooh'ed and 'aah'ed upon arriving at the Olympic-sized athletics field, equipped with long jump sand pit, cheering areas, starter guns and loud speakers! Our Kinma kids thought they had arrived at the 2009 Sydney Olympics.

Jess loved meeting Christine from the Hamazkaine school. Nick found another Nick from Alexander School, who was just like him (not just the names were similar!). Josh remet Tetsuya from the Japanese school. "I met him at our Friendship Day. We were so sad when we had to leave. Today we did everything together all day. Can you believe we were in the same green group! We did the ball throwing and the rolling and the tug of war. Best of all was the sandpit! I hope we can meet again and again."

James and Jasper loved the hype of the individual races. Lana, Jess, Yaz and Tammy screamed their lungs out cheering with their friends. Tammy was amazed to see how hard everyone tried and how fast some people moved. "I really think the cheering helped. Next year I agree that we could practise a little before the day - looks like hard work is worth it!"

Jo-Jo, like Alana enjoyed all the activities: running with the huge ball, aiming for the baskets in the Japanese game and tug of war.

Ash loved being on a real track. "It really freaked me out to see the course. At first I thought: 'How can I do this at High School next year?' Then I ran my race, loved it and thought 'I can do it'. I came second in my race and because I was that close, I was really annoyed. Just a little harder and ..."