World Kindness Day
World Kindness Day was celebrated on Sunday 13 November, and so I pause to give recognition and show kindness to Somerville House teachers. I recognise the challenges that teachers face and appreciate the wonderful work they do. Teachers play such an important role in shaping and encouraging our young people, who are the future of our society.
Reflecting on the importance and benefits of kindness caused me to also think about the acts of kindness that happen in our school community, which emanate from our school motto – 'Honour before Honours'. I reflect on the stories of Somerville House Old Girls and their many examples of doing the honourable thing which ultimately centres around a theme of kindness. McCrindle researchers suggest that the average Australian performs sixteen acts of kindness a week, through their words, actions and time they give.
I know of a Somerville House Old Girl who works as a palliative care nurse and in her out of work hours she has been assisting at a health centre with vaccinating and testing patients for COVID. Each Christmas Day morning, another Old Girl and her Mum share breakfasts of bacon and egg rolls with the homeless people sleeping overnight in the Brisbane Botantical Gardens. I also know of an Old Girl living in Melbourne, who helps with a local charity throughout the weeknights. Along with other volunteers, they work together to chop food in an industrial kitchen, cook and pack the meals into a van, which they then deliver to the many homeless people who reside in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
As an educator, it is apparent that mental health problems are now more prevalent than they were some ten years ago. Of course, schools like Somerville House are working with different strategies to help students develop their knowledge and skills so they can protect their own mental health. Teachers also rely on a partnership with parents to help students flourish and not be affected by poor mental health.
I really believe that encouraging our students to be kind to others will help boost their mental health. Kindness brings many benefits, including increased productivity, better health, greater self-esteem and mental clarity. Personal experience tells me that demonstrating kindness is a personal and social strength. My brother once said to me “don’t let people mistake your kindness as a sign of weakness”. I want to start a contagion of kindness and encourage all Somerville House students to consciously practise an act of kindness (or two) on a regular basis.
At an upcoming assembly, I plan to share a short reflection with students to reinforce the importance of kindness and my own gratitude for being able to share anecdotal examples of people being kind in our Somerville House community. I will encourage students to be kind to themselves, with the standard disclaimer “that being kind to yourself is not about going easy on yourself or not challenging yourself in your learning. You must try hard on assessment and you must stay focused, as that is the reverse of being kind to yourself – because you are not taking every opportunity to enrich and grow your knowledge and understanding.
At assembly, we offer recognition to students for a range of achievements, especially at this pointy end of the year. A student once told me “what happens if you put in all this effort and still do not get good marks, why bother?” I always tell students that we each have our own inner critic, the negative self-talker – the little voice in one’s head that is quick to judge and is always ready with a put down. It is so important that teachers and parents encourage our students to cultivate their own inner supporter and advocate. So, who is this inner advocate? It’s another voice in your head: the one that defends and supports you. When your inner critic scoffs at and ridicules you, your inner advocate jumps in and presents arguments on your behalf. While your inner critic is against you; your inner advocate is for you.
In the address, I also encourage students to forgive themselves and to lift themselves up. ‘When you fail, make a mistake, or do something wrong, you have two choices. You can blame yourself and tear yourself down, or you can lift yourself up. People who are kind to themselves choose the latter. Tell yourself it’s going to be okay. Give yourself a morale boost by reminding yourself of your past successes. Then, come up with a plan for dealing with what happened, and take action.’
I hope all parents will unite with us and support the idea of spreading a kindness contagion.
Acknowledgment: 17 Ways to Be Kind to Yourself - Daring to Live Fully. https://daringtolivefully.com/...
Important Information for Year 11 Parents
In case the Year 11 Parents missed my SomerLink post, I share an important letter regarding the 2023 Year 12 Formal which will be held on Saturday, 4 February 2023. Please click here to view
Advanced Notice of a 2023 Calendar Date for ALL families
Somerville House will hold a Student Free Day on Friday 27 January 2023. Staff will be engaged in professional learning on this day. Please note that (Thursday 26 January) is a public holiday, so families might enjoy the opportunity to take an extended four day long weekend.
Mrs Kim Kiepe
Principal