Student Well-being
In recent conversations with students, it is evident that kindness for others can sometimes slip away from us—whether it is due to the unpredictable weather pattern, the pressures of a busy final term, or the feelings that come with another school year drawing to a close. These moments can leave everyone, both big and small a little stretched, and it’s during these times that kindness and awareness of others matters most.
Below is a story which aims to remind us of how simple it can be to pause, notice the people around us, and choose compassion. A small act of kindness—offering help, sharing a smile, or speaking patiently—can brighten someone’s day and fill our own bucket in return. Kindness doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful; it simply needs to be intentional.
I encourage you to read this together as a family and talk about the way each of you can show kindness in the days and weeks ahead. Every gentle action creates a positive ripple.
The Story of the Starfish Thrower
A man was walking along a beach one morning after a violent storm.The ocean had hurled thousands of starfish onto the shore, stretching as far as he could see.
In the distance he noticed a small figure bending down, straightening up, and tossing something into the water. Over and over.
Curious, he approached.
It was a young girl.She picked up a starfish, threw it gently back into the ocean, and moved on to the next.
The man shook his head.“Why are you doing this?” he asked. “There are thousands of starfish. You can’t possibly save them all.You can’t possibly make a difference.”
The girl stopped, picked up another starfish, and held it for a moment.Then she threw it into the waves.
“It made a difference to that one,” she said.
🌟 The story teaches us that:
Small actions matter—especially to the one being helped.
You don’t need to solve the whole problem to do something meaningful.
Compassion scales one choice at a time.
I encourage you to look for a starfish around you.
Mrs Kerry Browne
Student Well-being Coordinator