With the most recent relaxation of our school’s lengthy Covid restrictions, we are jointly met with a barrage of new surprises. Perhaps topping off the list, one of the school’s most noticeable upgrades includes the annually practiced, long-awaited tradition of Kindness Week!
One year ago, safety constraints meant the gratitude week could only remain a small-scale event. Online kindness cards were exchanged and a KGV Padlet community gave eager students the opportunity to submit e-post-it-notes expressing their thankfulness.
Near an era of post-Covid festivities however, the school erupted into a flurry of activity on February 27th, celebrating the opening of Kindness Week.
The Wellbeing Team created a jam-packed schedule for students (teachers too!) to enjoy. Each day brought with it a welcoming surprise in the form of both niche and engaging lunchtime activities.
To kick it off, Kindness Week’s first day came in strong with a Kindness Tongue Twister. Students took the opportunity to clash playfully outside the GLT, unleashing competitive spirits through a fierce battle of Tongue Twisters. Egged on by cheering friends, students all had a good laugh.
The next day appealed to all our beloved foodies. The theme of the day was “be kind to others'' and this was exhibited proudly in the form of a hot chocolate station. Perhaps a day sweeter than the one before, cups and little chocolate powder packs were distributed to lucky students. Markers and color pencils gave children the creative power to colour the paper cups however they wished. The heartfelt products were then gifted to friends or staff members for the student body to express their gratitude and support.
The next day, students were given the opportunity to kick back and relax in lunchtime movie sessions. Lights were switched off and curtains drawn shut – students prepared to enjoy a beautiful animated film: the family-favourite My Neighbour Totoro!
Outside the classroom, the scheme for kindness continued and students around campus were gradually roped in. One might find volunteers dressed as cute animals roaming about the school. With an entourage of sign-hefting wellbeing members tailing them, the friendly creatures were readily available to provide free hugs to anyone that needed one! Who would have ever anticipated one warm hug could be so extraordinarily invaluable?
Much to everyone’s dismay, Kindness Week eventually came to a close on Friday, March 3rd. The entire ordeal ended however, with a therapeutic blast as students sat back and reflected upon the fruitful week. The Wellbeing Team wanted to promote one last impactful message: let’s be kind to the environment! Students familiarized themselves with the concept through coming together in decorating hand-selected rocks.
A bright spread of markers and a determined, inventive mindset produced something truly exceptional! Forty minutes of diligent work later, the classroom became a much brighter place. With the same set of materials, students created drastically different pieces of artwork. One quick stroll around the classroom revealed bouquets of multi-coloured flowers, iconic characters from favourite childhood cartoons and even staples of our diet including a pair of matching avocado rocks!
I suppose the purpose of this article not only serves to recount the exciting happenings of the school, but also a reminder that gratitude needs not be limited to one fleeting action-packed week. Even as we move deeper into the month of March, lessons learnt from Kindness Week can still be applied to day-to-day life. Let’s keep on spreading a little bit of positivity!
Photos!
Photo Credits
The Lion's Crest Photography Team
Helena He, Isaac Tung, Isabella Cagliarini, Stephanie Chong
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