In Assembly this week, Sixth Form students Hailey B (12H), Emily H (12S) and Kat K (12H) asked us to imagine being a new student at Queenswood, stepping into an unfamiliar space filled with faces we have never seen before. Daunting and intimidating might be two words we would use to describe our experience. We were then asked to imagine being greeted with kindness, warm smiles and friendly gestures and suddenly our experience did not feel daunting or intimidating. Hailey B explained that kindness has a ripple effect, weaving through people and building unique bonds and connections; with this in mind she invited us to create a kind environment at Q in which everyone feels safe and every individual is at liberty to be themselves thus making a difference to a person’s day perhaps by motivating them or boosting their confidence.

Emily H showed a very funny and informative video which showcased two members of staff and illustrated the positive impact that being kind makes around the school; she then went on to illustrate the small acts of kindness that can make a difference such as saying good morning or holding a door open. Drawing our attention to the importance of mental wellbeing, and the fact that it can fluctuate depending upon different experiences, emotions and stages of life, Emily H invited us to look after our own mental wellbeing and the mental wellbeing of others by encouraging acts of kindness in our everyday lives and around school. Asking us to reflect on the impact of unkindness, Emily H encouraged us to pass forward kindness that we receive for the good of all.

Kat K closed the presentation by stating that we often underestimate the power of kindness and that kindness can sometimes be exploited. Kat K stated that even though acts of kindness may seem insignificant, such as holding a door open, they do have the power to make a big difference so we should remember to (i) be aware of other people and appreciate their acts of kindness instead of abusing them and (ii) be understanding, patient and supportive, because while these acts of kindness cost nothing, the rewards are immeasurable, not just for one but for all.

In our Act of Worship this week, Kumsal U (9S), Holly Slade (9S), Isla B (8W) and Sophia S (8S) read from the Gospel of John (8:1-11) which tells the story of Jesus’ response to a woman caught in adultery. ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words shall never hurt me’. The Chaplain read this rhyme from her childhood and said how wrong it is: words can and do hurt. However, the Chaplain also said that words can heal and invited us to think how we feel when someone says ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘I forgive you’. The Chaplain quoted Jesus from the Gospel story – ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’ – and said that such were the power of Jesus’ words that there was no-one in that first century community who could pick up a stone and hurl it at the woman to break her body as well as her spirit. The Chaplain thanked God for Jesus’ words which call us out of our hypocrisy and weakness to recognise a fundamental truth: that all human beings sin as easily as we live and breathe. This is why, the Chaplain said, that in this Gospel story Jesus teaches us not to examine the conduct of others but, in kindness and honesty, to look in the mirror and examine our own conduct so that in our awareness we might grow into the people of integrity and accountability that God calls us to be.

The Chaplain drew our attention to Ash Wednesday when in many churches Christians are signed with ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross, the words ‘remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return’ spoken to emphasise mortality and the need to say sorry for the things that we get wrong. Again, the Chaplain quoted Jesus from the Gospel story – ‘Go your way, and from now on do not sin again’ - saying that these words, spoken to the woman, gave her a fresh start when she had got something wrong. With this in mind, the Chaplain invited us, as we prepare for the holiday, to think about something we have got wrong this half term and for which we might say sorry and invited us to share these thoughts with God in prayer. The Chaplain said that it was her firm belief that just as he did for the woman on that day, Jesus would speak words of healing to us; words that will enable us to end this half term well; words that will give us a fresh start when we return.

Please join us in prayer this week:

Loving God, as we look in the mirror and reflect on the things we have got wrong, may we hear your healing words that we may have a fresh start.

Amen

Special thanks:

Thank you so much for supporting Natalya F-D (12W) to raise £356 for The Brain Tumour Charity through the Home Clothes Day and complete volunteering hours towards her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. Natalya also raised an additional £391 through a bake sale, again for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Reverend Kate Douglas

Chaplain