“An act of kindness might be as simple as making a cup of tea for mum and dad, or just thanking them for their help throughout remote learning, while they work from home.”
Mr Pickering said students had also written letters to Sunnyside Lutheran Retirement Village residents in the hope of developing an ongoing pen pal relationship.
“Most students have had a connection with Sunnyside retirement village throughout primary school,” he said.
“One of our focuses was partnering up with the village to get some correspondence happening.
“Some students have established ongoing pen pal friendships with the seniors.”
Mr Pickering said the random acts of kindness were helping students strengthen their relationships, build positive emotions and promote mindfulness.
“The wave and big smile the students get back really makes their day, and they’ve made a difference in someone else’s day,” he said.
“It’s getting them out of their comfort zone and getting them to look outside themselves – that’s one of our major values, to serve others.”
Mr Pickering said students recognised even small gestures could make a big difference in a person’s day.
“There’s always someone worse off than you in the world and someone you can help,” he said.
“That can be as simple as giving a phone call.
“People who are stuck in nursing homes, who are more susceptible to COVID-19, have had their lives impacted more so than the students.”
– Dylan De Jong
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