"Remember, there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end". - Scott Adams

Every year, our YCIS community dedicates a special week to celebrating and actively promoting a core value that underpins everything we do: kindness. Our recent School Week of Kindness, held from 10th to 14th November, was a wonderful example of this cherished tradition in action.

Why Kindness

You may wonder why we place such a strong emphasis on this theme. The benefits for your child's social development and overall wellbeing are profound and far-reaching. Actively practising kindness:

Strengthens Social Skills: As the cornerstone of positive relationships, it helps children learn to cooperate, resolve conflicts peacefully, and be inclusive, building their confidence.

Boosts Emotional Wellbeing: Acts of kindness release endorphins, creating a natural 'helper's high' that can significantly reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

Fosters Empathy and Resilience: By considering others' feelings, children develop a deeper sense of empathy, helping them navigate friendships and build resilience.

Creates a Positive School Environment: Ultimately, a culture of kindness makes our school a safer, happier, and more supportive place for every child to learn and thrive.

Setting the Tone: Daily Explorations and a Growing Wall of Kindness

Each day began with dedicated morning activities in classrooms, where students explored different themes linked to kindness, from gratitude and inclusion to courage and empathy. This daily focus helped deepen their understanding and set a positive intention for the day.

A central and heart-warming feature was our Kindness Wall in the playground. This interactive display quickly filled with colourful notes and drawings as children from all year groups shared messages of appreciation and encouragement. It served as a powerful, visual testament to the ripple effect of their good deeds and kind words.

Nurturing Kindness from the Start: Our ECE Community

In ECE, the week was filled with special moments that brought the message of kindness to life. The children were delighted by visits from teachers and school leaders, who joined them for thematic story times. These sessions, filled with enchanting stories about friendship and empathy, provided a perfect foundation for discussions on what it means to be kind to one another, setting a warm and inclusive tone for their earliest school experiences.

Empowering Our Students: From Classrooms to Playgrounds

The "Power for Good" theme was woven seamlessly into the fabric of our school day.

Student-Led Assemblies:

The week was framed by impactful assemblies. Our Secondary students led a session focusing on digital citizenship and cyberbullying, empowering them to use their online presence as a force for good. The Primary assembly concluded the week by celebrating the "Superpowers of a Kindness Superhero," complete with a memorable teacher superhero competition.

Odd Socks Day:

 On Monday, our campus burst with colour for Odd Socks Day, a lighthearted lesson in celebrating unique differences and embracing diversity.

Deep Dive Discussions:

In homerooms and LifeSkills lessons, students engaged in meaningful conversations guided by the theme "Be Kind, Speak Up," learning that true kindness is both gentle and principled.

A United Community Effort

The partnership between home and school is crucial. We were delighted to host a well-attended "The Kindness Catalyst" workshop for parents, which provided practical strategies for building a sustainable culture of compassion within the family. This was complemented by a fun Coffee & BINGO morning, offering a wonderful opportunity for parents to connect.

Our dedicated staff also fully embraced the week, with a special yoga and mindful meditation session organised for them. This was part of our broader commitment to fostering a supportive and positive environment for all the adults who guide and nurture our students.

The Lasting Impact

"The theme "Power for Good" encourages our entire community—students, staff, and families—to recognise the positive influence they possess and to actively use that power to uplift others, strengthen our sense of connection, and promote positive interactions every single day."                                                                                          —Ms Sandra Dunaiski, Head of Student Support

Thank you to every student, parent, and staff member who participated with such enthusiasm and open hearts. The energy and commitment throughout the week were palpable. While Kindness Week provides a concentrated spotlight, it powerfully reinforces the character education that is the consistent fabric of daily life at YCIS Beijing. The ripples of the kindness shared from our Kindness Wall, the conversations started, and the "Power for Good" embraced last week will continue to guide our students to become the caring, resilient, and inclusive leaders of tomorrow.