Kia ora koutou, We are now deep into term three with our students very busy in winter sports, production, and of course with their academic studies.

I had the privilege today to listen to our two Head Students being interviewed for the class act awards happening on the 5th of September. While it was great to hear about their academic, cultural and sporting endeavours what really stands out is there commitment to be role models to others and give back to the school and the wider community. These two students exemplify what it means to be kind and empathetic. 

Teenage years can be a real challenge for our students. They are discovering who they are as people and are shaped by the environment they exist in.  Sometimes people can be unkind for no particular reason or sometimes it's to make themselves feel better because they are not happy with themselves.

Choose to be kind in an unkind world. There are many things, people, and circumstances that will try to bring you down. Tear you down. Shake you. Don’t let them. For anyone who is “trying to bring you down, is beneath you already.”

Kindness can be shown through small gestures such as holding the door for someone at the store, or a nice comment on someone's appearance to your friend. However, many underestimate the true outcome of these small acts of kindness.

Kindness can have significant benefits for your health and the wellbeing of others.

If you show kindness you will:

1.  Have better relationships.

2.  Have fewer negative emotions that will bring you down.

3.  Have better physical health.

4.  Have better self esteem.

5. Makes EOHS and the wider community a better place.

I challenge all our students to find ways to make conscious acts of kindness over the course of the year and see these benefits  to yourself and make a difference to others in your life.

Nga mihi nui.

Marcus Cooper