Middle Years

Kindness

Over the first two weeks of Term Four, there have been several examples of our Middle Years students showing kindness and it has illustrated the benefits of being kind.   

Kindness is choosing to do something that helps others or yourself, motivated by genuine warm feelings. Being kind, or doing good, often means putting another student’s needs before their own. It could be helping another student with revision for a test or exam, helping a new student settle into their new school or generally looking after another student when on a school camp. 

Evidence shows that students helping others also positively benefit their own mental health and wellbeing. It can reduce stress, improve mood, self-esteem and happiness and also build resilience. This was very evident with our Year 9s in Vietnam. One of the noticeable things was that students who showed kindness to both the locals and each other overall gained far mor enjoyment and meaning from the Vietnam Experience and appeared to get through the tougher times with ease. When other students were sick or injured, students who were kind and helpful towards the sick/injured student were much less likely to struggle in the heat or the physical service tasks. Being kind had a double benefit, so to speak. 

With the Year 7s preparing for their Glenelg River Camp coming up and all Middle Years students having exams in week 7, I do hope that they can all see the benefits of being kind to each other.