I am writing to inform you about an exciting new project which staff, pupils and, hopefully, you will be involved in: ‘A Mind to be Kind’.

As you know, we are always promoting the phrases ‘good choices’, ‘kind hands’ and ‘kind words’ in our daily work with your children and have done this since they joined our Academy. Showing respect and kindness is very important in all walks of life and this project supports this on-going work very well.

The aim of this project is to develop a culture where kindness, without an expectation of reward, becomes a way of life for everyone involved. Rather than focusing on performing acts of kindness for a reward, we are aiming to shift the focus to how it feels when we are kind. We always try to recognise the kindness that our children show to each other on a daily basis but this project will further support this, both at home and at school.

‘A Mind to be Kind’ will be delivered to all pupils as a series of short ‘Stop and Think’ sessions where kindness is explored through three main themes:

1. Acts of Kindness
2. Living without Harming Others
3. Respect

Each session will end with a ‘Try This’ task which is a simple activity for staff and pupils to do before the next session.

Research shows that kindness can benefit us in many ways. For example:

1. Kindness makes us happier by releasing chemicals in the body.
2. Kindness improves self-esteem and relationships.
3. Kindness improves concentration.

The ‘Mind to be Kind’ tasks are attached below so please feel free to have a look at them and join in at home. If you can highlight the kindness that your child shows and, very importantly, how that made them (and you) feel that would be fantastic.