Everyone has problems, troubles, and griefs of some sort in life.
Under the ever changing environment of Covid-19 this has been so present in all our lives. Charity is the act of kindness to others, a conscious act of the heart, without expecting a reward. When Charity is carried out selflessly, it is a one-way act where a person gives without a need for something in return. Charity begins with the inward recognition of a need to show compassion to others. At school in the play- ground of often see friends waiting for one another whist packing away their lunch or whilst they do up their shoelaces – these small and simple acts demonstrate compassion. People learn to downplay their own needs or problems, in order to extend compassion, kindness, and love to help others.
Cultivating attitudes to charitable and selfless activities is achieved through the home and school environment. Children are natural born helpers, we see that with our younger students, but often with age their eagerness to help dwindles. At home children learn the act of giving by being active members of the household, contributing to chores or jobs around the home in order to support and help their loving parents. All without the need or expectation of getting something in return.
When it comes to teaching children to be charitable, role-modeling isn’t enough. Having focused, intentional discussions with children about charity increases the likelihood that they will give or think of others. Charity builds empathy, which is a critical social and emotional skill. It can be argued that charitable activities are important to develop a sense of citizenship – in terms of individual engagement, participation in collective school activities, and engendering a broader sense of social responsibility.
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When Charity and giving is incorporated into the curriculum and school life at all key stages, students feel a sense responsibility to support and involve themselves. Cultivating kindness in the learning environment is critically important. Teachers in primary constantly praise students when they show generosity and empathy to others, simple things like lending a classmate a pencil or sharing words of encouragement during a learning task or sporting activity. Building a collective climate of empathy and selflessness towards our own peers and classmates will.
At IB charity is part of the 3 core values of the curriculum, where students are encouraged and expected to collaborate and take full ownership of their charitable actions. At The British School Warsaw we see students engage and commit to community projects with a sense of pride and ownership in in their projects. Some of them have been: the fill a shoe box campaign, food collections and donations, making handbags and donating the proceeds to charities, volunteering at the WVM, volunteering for collecting on behalf of The Great Orchestra of Christmas Aid.
Finally, I would like to once again extend huge congratulations to the school PTA and school community who gave so generously towards the TBS Warsaw Christmas Giving Tree 2020. They worked so hard and with continued passion to support the Pankracy foundation – in order to support 7 homes and 100 children.
Paul Mitchell
Head of Year 11
Secondary Mathematics Teacher
