November Theme: Caring
At SISS, we encourage students to care for their classmates and be kind in various ways, such as helping each other with work, moral support and encouragement, and celebrating achievements together.
Defining Care
What does “care” mean or “to be caring”? According to the dictionary, it is “the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.” In other words, it’s doing things for the mental and physical well-being of others. Examples of this include taking care of the elderly or helping your friend with their homework. These acts demonstrate caring and kindness towards others.
Spreading Care and Kindness at SISS
At SISS, we believe in promoting acts of caring and kindness no matter how big or small. On a daily basis, we encourage students to care for their classmates and be kind in various ways, such as helping each other with work, moral support and encouragement, and celebrating achievements together.
In addition to daily acts of kindness and care, November marks the month of Care in that we honour it as one of our seven core values. The culmination of this was our celebration of World Kindness Day on the 13th of November, 2023. On this day, people around the world come together to take part in different events and activities that promote and honour the importance of kindness. At SISS, our Jaguars created “Kindness Flowers” and a “Kindness Album” to convey messages and stories about their own acts of kindness or the acts of others. Each story was special and contributed to a vibrant mosaic that demonstrated the beauty of care and kindness in this world. Students also wore the colour purple, which is the colour for World Kindness Day and participated in small yet meaningful acts of kindness, such as giving a hug or fist-bump, helping others, and giving extra praise and encouragement. Whether the acts are big or small, we always promote the idea that acts of kindness are always around them, and when one acts in ways that demonstrate care and kindness, everyone can feel love, respect, and happiness.
Spreading Care and Kindness Around the World
At SISS, our hope is for students to not only display acts of care and kindness at school but also outside of school on a consistent basis. Unlike holidays, which are celebrated once a year, caring for others and showing kindness is something that students should do every day, like a daily habit. Whether it’s giving food to the poor, helping the elderly cross the street, picking up trash, or simply telling someone that you love and appreciate them, these acts of caring and kindness can spread throughout our communities and around the world. Acts of care and kindness can make the world a happier place, because they are selfless, and boost confidence, self-control, health, optimism, and a balanced life. Most importantly, it can encourage others to repeat the good deeds they’ve experienced themselves – thereby contributing to a more positive and prosperous community.
Shared by Mr. Aaron Butler – Vice Principal of the New South Wales Program.
