Friendship Reminiscing wellbeing lesson plan
A wellbeing lesson for Years 6 to 8 that helps Australian teachers introduce friendship reminiscing through a structured, ready-to-teach lesson. Students explore how positive shared memories can support and strengthen friendships over time. Students learn to identify positive moments in their friendships, talk about what helps a friendship feel supportive, and practise using shared memories to stay connected or reconnect with a friend when needed.
Healthy Relationships & Communication
Snapshot
Friendship Reminiscing
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to help students reflect on friendship strengths using everyday, relatable examples. Feedback: 4.6/5 from 27 teacher ratings
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Using positive memories to build and sustain strong friendships
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise positive moments and memories within their own friendships
identify the small actions that help a friendship feel supportive, such as listening, including others or showing up for a friend
recognise that friendships can go through change while still remaining strong
Understand
understand how reflecting on positive memories can strengthen a friendship
understand that friendships need ongoing care and attention, not just one positive moment
Practise
practise talking about positive shared experiences with a friend
practise using reflection to help reconnect with a friend after a disagreement or a period of distance
practise identifying the qualities they value in a friendship
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for students in Years 6 to 8 who are building more complex friendships and navigating changes in peer relationships. It suits students who are ready to reflect on their own relationships and talk about what helps a friendship feel supportive.
It is suitable for:
upper primary and junior secondary wellbeing lessons
Health or PDHPE teaching
pastoral care or advisory sessions
friendship and relationship skills programmes
transition support between primary and secondary settings
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Building classroom culture Use when reinforcing positive, inclusive friendship behaviours across the class.
Introducing friendship skills Use when students are beginning to explore what makes friendships feel strong and supportive.
Preparing for transition Use when friend groups are changing, such as moving between primary and secondary settings.
Reinforcing respectful communication Use when students need practical language for talking about their friendships in a positive way.
Supporting students through friendship change Use when students are adjusting to a shift in a friendship and could benefit from reflecting on shared positive moments.
Creating structured wellbeing discussion Use when you want a calm, teacher-led activity that supports connection and positive reflection.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Friendships play a significant part in how students experience school, and remembering the positive moments within them can help those relationships feel steady over time. Reminiscing about shared experiences is not only a pleasant activity. It can help students recognise the value of their friendships, appreciate the people who support them and build confidence in maintaining relationships through change. This lesson supports a positive classroom culture by giving students a simple way to talk about friendship in an everyday, low-pressure way, rather than only addressing friendships when problems arise.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Social awareness Students notice the positive actions that make a friendship feel supportive.
Emotional awareness Students reflect on how positive memories affect how they feel about a friendship.
Relationship skills Students practise talking about shared experiences in a positive way.
Communication Students build language for expressing appreciation within a friendship.
Resilience Students consider how reflecting on positive memories can help friendships get through change.
Belonging Students reinforce the value of feeling connected and supported by friends.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share other people's stories during discussion
Frame reflection around general examples rather than personal disclosures where possible
Identify trusted adults students can speak to if a friendship issue feels difficult to manage
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe.
During delivery
Use everyday examples such as remembering a time a friend helped or included them
Give students time to reflect individually before sharing with the group
Reinforce that friendships can change over time without this meaning something is wrong
Allow students to respond through discussion, writing or reflection depending on confidence
Supporting safe discussion
Keep sharing optional and focused on general reflection rather than specific personal details
Reinforce privacy and respectful listening during group discussion
Encourage students to seek support from a trusted adult if a friendship feels difficult
Adaptation options
Use partner discussion for confident groups
Use written or drawn reflection for quieter students
Spend more time on identifying trusted adults if students need extra support with friendship changes
