B Kinder Day
On Wednesday 22 June the Primary School was a sea of rainbow colours, glitter and bubbles as we celebrated B Kinder Day. Held annually and inspired by the life of Billie Kinder, B Kinder Day is a day dedicated to encouraging school students to make positive changes in the world. Wearing multi-coloured mufti and t-shirts with kindness themed messages, we came together as a community to spread kindness and raise money for the Fly High Billie charity who support children and spread messages of kindness internationally.
With songs and laughter echoing through the playground, the sense of community was felt in every corner of the Primary School. The girls danced to the Nutbush and Wakka Wakka, jumped in the photo booth with friends, blew bubbles and drew with chalk on the pavement during break times.
Shaking pompoms and wearing party hats, the Year 6 Leaders greeted classes as they entered The Great Hall, ready for an assembly led by Kindness Club. In scenes more similar to a disco, everyone clapped and danced in their seats, the atmosphere electric, with a sense of joy and fun. Discussing kindness and empowering the girls to see that they each have the capacity to make a difference, we heard from a number of members of our school community about ways they look outwards and show kindness to those around them. Mrs Anne Sweeney, Head of Strings, shared about her experience volunteering at Rough Edges in Darlinghurst, a safe space for those in our local area needing support, a hot meal and a chat. She spoke about the unexpected rewards she felt volunteering and the impact the conversations and connections have on her. Ms Nicola Kidston, Year 7 Co-ordinator, reminded the girls that small people can make big change and inspired them to think creatively about how they can support organisations. She shared how the Year 7 students were challenged by the current situation in the Ukraine and worked together to raise over $1000 through various events to help those in need and devastated by these ongoing events. Ms Laura Connolly, Director of Student Wellbeing and a familiar face to the girls in her role as basketball coach, planted the seed for the girls’ future involvement in Community Service trips to places such as Cambodia. Sharing a range of photos from her previous trip to Cambodia, she highlighted the life-changing and long-lasting impact volunteering has on less fortunate families and communities. Before the Chamber Strings led us in the School Song, Mr Lee-Lindsay taught us further about the history of our school motto Luceat Lux Vestra, Latin for “Let your Light Shine”, and the ways Jesus calls us to spread love and be a light in the world.
The presentations in assembly left the girls feeling moved, fuelling discussions back in the classroom about the people in our community who inspire us and make a difference, and how we could, as a school, thank these people. Each girl wrote a message of kindness to various individuals, charities and organisations acknowledging their efforts to make the world a better place and thanking them for their service and contributions to our community. These cards reflect the love for Mums, Dads, and other relatives; thank the critical care of Doctors and Nurses; acknowledge those such as The Smith Family and The Salvation Army who help the homeless and others in need; demonstrate appreciation for the role of Barnardos Australia and Anglicare in supporting families; and thank other organisations who create a voice, and care for other vulnerable groups in our local and global community. Our focus on community service will continue this term as each year group considers ways to support organisations in our local area.
Reinforcing to the girls their capacity to make a difference in this world, we came together in House groups in the afternoon to participate in The Great Book Swap. Swapping their pre-loved books for another new title, the girls raised $350 for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation further supporting them in their mission to provide culturally relevant books to children living in remote communities.
We also couldn’t have a Kindness-themed day without mentioning our Kindness mascot, Kindacorn. Follow this link to watch a video montage of Kindacorn and our Primary girls.
Rebecca Woodcock
Acting Head of Student Wellbeing
