Secret Colleague / Secret Friend

Each team member (or each student in a class) is anonymously assigned a "secret colleague / secret friend" for a set period (e.g., one week). The task is to provide this colleague (friend) with small, anonymous acts of kindness or compliments during the daily routine.

✍️ Brigitta Rupp, PBÖ
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⏱️ Duration Several school days
🔄 Frequency Over a longer period
👥 Target Group Students, Teachers, School Management
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Purpose

It strengthens the need for "Belonging".
It shifts attention away from one's own stress toward appreciating others.
It lightens the atmosphere and creates positive emotional anchors in the busy school day.

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Use and Learning Outcomes

  • 1. Strengthening team spirit and cohesion.
  • 2. Sharpening the focus on the achievements and well-being of others.
  • 3. Reducing tensions in the staff room / in the classroom.
  • 4. Increasing job satisfaction / personal satisfaction through small positive surprises.
  • 5. Promoting a culture of mindfulness.
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Wellbeing References

Basic Needs

❤️ Belonging 😊 Fun

Quality Dimensions

School culture Social interactions
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Details & Preparation

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Room Requirements

Staff room (team) or classroom (students) for the ballot box
Ballot Box

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Time for preparation

15 minutes

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Preparation

Write all participants' names on slips of paper and have everyone draw one.
Set a clear start and end date.

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Materials

Ballot box
Small slips of paper
Possibly a "mailbox" for anonymous notes

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Sequence of Steps

1

The Kick-off

⏱ 5 minutes
Explain the project during a meeting or break (or during a school lesson).
Note: It's about small gestures (a nice Post-it, an apple, copying a template), not expensive gifts.
2

Drawing Names

⏱ 5 minutes
Everyone draws a name and keeps it strictly secret.
3

The Action Phase

⏱ 1 week
Everyone looks out for their "secret colleague / secret friend" and prepares small surprises.
4

The Big Reveal

⏱ 15 minutes
At the end of the week (e.g., Friday break), everyone reveals: "Who was my secret colleague / secret friend?"
5

Reflection

⏱ 15 minutes
Briefly share: How did it feel to give anonymously?
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Reflection & Tips

Reflection

Did the atmosphere in the staff room / classroom change during the week?
Was I more attentive to my colleagues' (friends') needs?

Tips for Implementation

Set a budget limit of 0 to a maximum of 2 Euros to keep the focus on the gesture rather than the material value.