Heads of House
World Kindness Day – 13th November
As students entered the College gates on Wednesday, they were welcomed with words of welcome and kindness from our 2025 leaders, read kindness affirmations as they opened their locker doors and looked into mirrors in bathrooms. Why? Because 13th November was World Kindness Day. This gazetted day, recognized globally, acknowledges the transformative power of cultivating kindness on individuals and communities.
Kindness is not only a choice and moral duty but a fundamental aspect of human connections that can significantly improve mental health.
Research and experience support the idea that small acts of kindness are contagious. Dr. David Hamilton, author and kindness researcher, explains, “When we’re kind, it’s as if we’re giving a little part of our happiness to someone else.” This exchange of positive energy not only elevates our own mood but creates an environment of mutual support, warmth, acceptance of others, thereby improving our own as well as others’ mental wellbeing.
Furthermore, research highlights the physical benefits of kindness. According to studies cited by the Mayo Clinic, acts of kindness can release serotonin and oxytocin, often called the “feel-good” hormones, which help lower blood pressure and boost heart health. Additionally, Archer in her 2024 article 10 Benefits of Kindness asserts that kindness acts as “a buffer against stress” making individuals more resilient when facing life’s challenges. Therefore, practising kindness supports and promotes emotional and mental health, and provides physical heath advantages, emphasising the interconnectedness of the mind and body.
Understanding the immense benefits of practising kindness, it is not surprising that the value of kindness is gaining social currency. ‘Be Kind’ t-shirts have become fashionable, schools and workforces actively campaign for change, organisations include ‘kindness’ in their mission statements and advertising. Practising genuine kindness shows strength of character, and humanity at its best.
Using World Kindness Day as a catalyst for intentional change, we invite parents and students alike to reflect on the power of small, kind gestures. Whether through words of encouragement, helping a friend, opening the door for another, or simply listening, each act contributes to a more compassionate and resilient world. Our College leaders are to be commended for their initiative, and it is a testament to the positive culture they are creating for everyone to enjoy. In the words of Harold Kushner, “Do things for people not because of who they are or what they do in return, but because of who you are.”
Sources:
The Strength of Kindness | Psychology Today Australia
The Psychology of Kindness | Psychology Today Australia