The art of giving and the opportunity to show acts of kindness can play such an important role in lifting the spirits of those around us.

At King’s, we are so fortunate to have a committed staff who aim always to give of themselves and their time for the benefit of our young men in their pursuit of personal excellence in the domains of the Curriculum, Arts, Culture, Music and Sport.

This week we have had the opportunity with our Mufti Day on Thursday to give to the Red Cross, to acknowledge and support their work locally, domestically and around the world.

In Term 4, we will be looking to support families within our school community by:

• Providing Christmas Hampers
• Offering Christmas Hams for the Christmas Lunch at the Town Hall
• Fundraising to assist our co-curricular programmes with our Prefects/Student Council selling and making Cheese Rolls, a “King’s Cheese Rollathon” (more details will be sent out in the coming weeks)
• Having a Mufti Day to assist purchasing Christmas presents for the annual city appeal.

To make an impact on the lives of others, creates a sense of happiness for those on the receiving end, but also those who have completed a kind deed or act.

At King’s, I witness daily the acts of giving and kindness, whether that is senior students assisting juniors by offering them guidance in class, at Group Time or during our House Competition events. I see the positive interactions and relationships built in the classroom where staff are assisting their students to believe in themselves and the gifts they have or even at break-times where conversations had are derived to add growth to our young men. I also see colleagues giving others support and guidance when required, daily, not because they have to but because they want to.

Studies show a correlation between assisting and offering others support and the increase this brings to one’s happiness.

As you help someone, your brain secretes “feel good” chemicals such as Serotonin (which regulates your mood), Dopamine (which gives you a sense of pleasure) and Oxytocin (which creates the sense of connection with others).

No one has ever become poor from giving, so giving should be second-nature and seen as a gift to give as often as possible, because giving makes a difference.

I often say that the greatest gift you can offer someone is your time, and as we enter the fourth and final term of the year we have as a school community the opportunity to show our true wairua, our true spirit.

For those who wish to make a contribution or wish to donate and support in some way our initiatives, please do not hesitate to contact our school office on 455-7547 or please email me ds@kingshigh.school.nz