At St John’s Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form, we are committed to developing confident, compassionate and responsible young people. As part of our ongoing personal development and character education programme, our Year 10 boys recently took part in an inspiring Tom’s Talks workshop led by speaker and youth educator, Tom.
This thought‑provoking session tackled some of the most important issues facing young people today, including toxic masculinity, misogyny and the powerful influence of social media.
Creating a Safe Space for Honest Conversations
One of the strengths of Tom’s Talks is the space it creates for young people to speak openly and reflectively. Our students were encouraged to question stereotypes, discuss challenging topics and think critically about the world around them.
The atmosphere was respectful, mature and incredibly positive, with students:
- sharing their own experiences
- asking insightful questions
- engaging fully with every activity
Their openness made the workshop not only impactful, but genuinely transformative.
Key Themes Explored in the Workshop
Throughout the session, students explored several important and relevant topics:
How social media shapes attitudes and behaviours
Students examined the influence of online content, algorithms and influencers, gaining awareness of how digital environments can affect perception, behaviour and beliefs.
What it means to stand up for others
The group reflected on courage, compassion and the importance of challenging harmful behaviour—online and offline.
The values they want to live by as young men
At the heart of the workshop was the idea of becoming respectful, responsible and emotionally aware members of society.
A Proud Moment for St John’s
We could not be more proud of our Year 10 students. Their maturity, honesty and willingness to engage deeply with sensitive subjects were outstanding.
Workshops like this play a crucial role in shaping well‑rounded young people who understand the importance of respect, equality and positive relationships. As a Catholic school, these conversations support our mission to create a community built on dignity, compassion and integrity.
Helping Young People Grow Into Responsible Members of Society
By addressing real‑world issues head‑on, we are empowering our students to make thoughtful, informed choices—both online and in their everyday lives. Sessions such as Tom’s Talks help our students become:
- respectful
- confident
- empathetic
- socially aware
These qualities will serve them well as they grow into the leaders, role models and responsible members of society we know they can be.
If you’d like to hear more about our Personal Development Programme or the workshops we run at St John’s Catholic Secondary School and Sixth Form, please explore our website or get in touch with the school office.