From the Leadership Team

Martine Walls, Head of Character and Wellbeing

The power of laughter in supporting wellbeing

At Kilvington, we know that laughter can transform a moment, lift a mood and bring people together. Think of the sound of students laughing on the playground, teachers sharing a light-hearted moment in class or staff enjoying a coffee and chat. These moments are more than fun; they’re a reminder of what makes school life joyful and connected.

While laughter might seem simple, research continues to show that it has extraordinary benefits for our wellbeing.

It lowers cortisol (the body’s stress hormone), increases dopamine and endorphins (the 'feel-good' chemicals in our brains), strengthens social bonds, and even improves cardiovascular health.

LIFT WITH LAUGHTER DAY AT KILVINGTON

At Kilvington, we wanted to harness the power of laughter in a thoughtful and inclusive way. On Thursday 11 September, our Student Connection Committee led a whole-school initiative aligned with R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to kindness, wellbeing and meaningful conversations.

We began the day on a positive note as members of the Student Connection Committee welcomed students and staff at the gates, handing out bright stickers and cheerful smiles to start the day.

What made the event even more special was that it brought together our entire community, from ELC to Year 12, creating a genuine sense of unity as younger and older students, together with staff, experienced the day side by side.

The activities throughout the day were as fun as they were varied. Laughter Yoga set the tone for the morning, while the lunchtime festival filled the campus with music, laughter and energy. High-energy Zumba sessions also got both students and staff up and moving!

Staff enjoyed a special morning tea together, complete with good conversation, a strong sense of community, and some impressively bad jokes!

One of the main highlights was a visit from comedian Declan Fay, who spoke about the role of humour in helping us cope with life’s challenges, build perspective and strengthen relationships.

What made the day truly remarkable was the way every corner of the school came alive with shared purpose and positivity.

STUDENT VOICE AND LEADERSHIP

Perhaps the most rewarding part of the day was that it was entirely student driven. By giving students agency and voice, the initiative reflected their creativity, leadership and commitment to community wellbeing. It was wonderful to see ideas from across year levels come together in such an authentic and inclusive way.

A huge thanks to our student leaders Addison Hammond and Diya James, whose enthusiasm, organisation and vision brought this initiative to life. A special thanks also to Mrs Sarah Bahramis for her leadership, passion and unwavering support in preparing our students for this event and bringing out the very best in them.

To ensure this celebration becomes part of our ongoing culture, students were also invited to vote on a permanent name for the day, giving it their voice and helping it continue as a student-led tradition in years to come. Congratulations to Anabelle Chick of Year 8 who put forward ‘Lift With Laughter Day’.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

Here are some reflections that capture the spirit of the day:

'Laughter Yoga was the best way to start my day. I felt energised and calm for my Year 7 exam.' – Kate Smith
'I loved hearing Declan Fay. It made me think about how laughter isn’t just silly; it can actually change how we feel and how we connect with people.' – Ava Murfin
'Zumba at lunchtime was so much fun! Everyone was joining in, even people who usually wouldn’t. It felt like we were all in it together.' – Addison Hammond
'It was so good to have all year levels involved in the day and show such happy school spirit.' – Sarah O’Neill
'It was so rewarding to see this day in action. All our hard work as a student-led team paid off.' – Chase Harran
'Seeing a whole-school student-led event really connecting people and raising awareness about mental health was uplifting.' – Mrs Sarah Bahramis

LOOKING AHEAD

By embedding fun, laughter and togetherness into the school calendar, we are promoting a culture that recognises wellbeing as central to learning.

At Kilvington, we want every student to know they are not alone, and sometimes, the simple act of laughing together can be the most powerful reminder of that truth.