AGONY AUNT
PURPOSE

To get young people listening, thinking and talking about sectarianism
PLAN IT
Age
Any
Group size
Any (in groups of 4/5)
Prep time
5 minutes
Activity time
30-45 minutes
What you need
letter (below)
writing materials
DO IT
a) Divide the participants into groups of 4/5 and explain each is an ‘editorial team’.
b) Explain we are all working for ‘Teens’ magazine in the ‘problem page’ office.
c) Read out the letter (on page 3)/what was posted on the Teens website.
d) Ask each group to talk among themselves about what advice they might offer.
e) Ask them to share with the other groups.
f) Get each group to draft a reply to go in the magazine and online before a time deadline.
REVIEW IT
Curriculum for Excellence: engaging with experiences and outcomes
I know that friendship, caring, sharing, fairness, equality and love are important in building positive
relationships. As I develop and value relationships, I care and show respect for myself and others. HWB 0-05a
/ HWB 1-05a / HWB 2-05a / HWB 3-05a / HWB 4-05a
I understand that people can feel alone and can be misunderstood and left out by others. I am learning how to
give appropriate support.
HWB 0-08a / HWB 1-08a / HWB 2-08a / HWB 3-08a / HWB 4-08a
Through contributing my views, time and talents, I play a part in bringing about positive change in my school
and wider community.
HWB 0-13a / HWB 1-13a / HWB 2-13a / HWB 3-13a / HWB 4-13a
I understand positive things about friendships I am aware that positive friendships and relationships can
promote health and the health and wellbeing of others. HWB 2-44b
I understand and can demonstrate the qualities and skills required to sustain different types of relationships.
HWB 3-44b / HWB 4-44b
Letter
“Dear Teens Team,
I was wondering if you could help me. I am in S3 in a school in Edinburgh (I don’t want to say
which one).
My problem is my best friend. Well, he’s not my problem, but the way other people treat him is
upsetting me. You see, he supports a different football team from all the other boys in the class
(including me) and he’s getting called all sorts of horrible names to do with his team and his
‘religion’. When his team wins, everyone is really nasty to him and slag off his team by calling
them names. (I can’t even repeat them here because they are so bad.) And it’s even worse when
his team lose – then people really make fun of him and slag him off. He’s almost cried
sometimes...
I stick up for him but it just means I get it too. I don’t know what to do. The names they are
calling him have nothing to do with football. I just want them to stop this.
Worried, Edinburgh”