Harmony Day 2022

On the 21st March, our school celebrated Harmony Day. The kids celebrated with a splash of Orange on their uniforms.

I also wore my splash of orange to celebrate Harmony Day too.

The school also hands out a Harmony Day award to one student in each class. This student is who the teacher feels displays harmony with others in their class and in the school. Someone who gets along with others. Daniel received one in Kindy and we were so proud of him.

When I arrived at school Alexander came out to me all excited and showed me his Harmony Day award. He said 'We all got one!'

I commented that everyone in the class got one and he said 'No. We all did. Daniel, Eliza and me!'. What??? I was so proud of them. 

Then Eliza came out and pulled out her award too to show me. I couldn't believe it!

Daniel eventually came down the stairs and showed me that he received the award too.

I am so proud of these 3. Academic awards are nice but these awards to James and I are so much more important. We really value treating others as equal, we really encourage our kids to be kind and welcoming to all and to treat others how they want to be treated. Partly this is because of being Christians, but it is also just important as being people. James and I value kindness and gentleness and we encourage our kids to do the same. Received these awards, shows that our kids are also modelling this at school and that their teachers see it being displayed in the first few weeks of term 1. 

As we were leaving school Mrs Murray (who was on Alexander's class) came up to me and asked if I heard the exciting news. With tears in my eyes I said yes I did. She said that I must be so proud of them and that it is a real reflection of James' and my parenting for all 3 kids to receive it. Oh my word. What an encouragement that was! She also mentioned that Mrs Kocx passed on that Alexander received it because he is friends with everyone, happy to sit with anyone and always says hi to everyone. This I'm not surprised by as he says hi and bye to everyone by name as he arrives and leaves school. 

Then Mrs Barwell came up to me (Eliza's teacher from last year) and commented that I must be very proud. Again, tears came to my eyes and I said I was. She said that she wasn't surprised at all based upon having Eliza last year and seeing Daniel around the school too. She said that when they announced Alexander everyone was pleased, when they heard Eliza's name they were excited. When they heard Daniel's name she thought of me and how proud I will be of my kids and rightfully so. Again, what a compliment to our kids and to our family. 

Then as we left the school we saw Mr Watkins. I thanked him for giving Daniel the award and he commented that it was a no brainer. He said that he often tells the class that they need to be more like Daniel. What a compliment to him! Mr Watkins said that when he asks for group work, Daniel is happy to work with anyone and doesn't complain. He will go and work with someone who isn't his best mate, he will sit next to someone who is lonely. He just is happy to be with and welcome and include anyone and everyone. What a big complement!

I didn't see Mrs Donohoe but again, I'm not surprised that Eliza received the award too as she is also saying hi to everyone as she arrives and leaves school, she is always keen to help out others and she is constantly showing kindness to others. 

I could not be prouder of my kids. If this is the only reward that our kids receive, then we are super proud and pleased with them. In life it's important to show others kindness, respect and inclusiveness. If our kids continue along this road then James and I have done a good job. Well done Daniel, Eliza and Alexander for displaying these qualities and I hope and pray that you will continue to display these as you continue to grow older and encounter others in your different journeys. I can't wait to see how God uses your kind hearts for others to help change the world.

Eliza also wrote this Harmony Day poem.