St Aloysius Primary School Cronulla, is distributing ‘100 Acts of Kindness’ cards to the community of Cronulla, to celebrate its 100th year.
The idea came from the pupils, who wanted to focus on “gratitude” as part of their schools 100th celebration week, and do something wonderful for the community.
They visited the mall, Cronulla railway station and the beach with parents and teachers to spread the messages of kindness to all on Monday morning, June 18.
“We hope it will brighten up everyone's day,” principal Elizabeth Ovens said.
The messages on the cards were written by pupils. They cards ‘say hello and smile at people walking by’ and ‘help a neighbour carry their shopping’.
They also asked strangers to do an unexpected chore, write a letter to an elderly neighbour, recycle more often, write a thank you note to someone, give your mum and dad a hug, leave a nice note on someone's desk or donate to a charity.
Even the year’s wettest and coldest day didn't deter the pupils as they approached commuters rushing for their trains.
“It's a brilliant idea,with beautiful smiles,” Barbara Jones said.
“If you pass on a little act of kindness, I always say it will come back to you.”
St Aloysius Catholic School began in 1918, in a little church hall on the current parish site, started by the Sisters of St Joseph.
Six years later, the Mercy order of nuns took leadership of the school.
Today, the school still celebrates its strong Mercy heritage and charism (grace, talent from God), said Ms Ovens, with pupils adopting one of the seven Mercy values each year of their schooling.
“Stewardship, hospitality and welcome, excellence, compassion, dignity and respect, justice and service are very much part of the fabric of our school,” Ms Ovens said.
“The students know and understand how they can strive to live these values each day.
“Our kindness cards are a way of expressing these values.”
Everyone is welcome to attend mass at 9.30am before the official open day on Thursday, June 21 for the feast of St Aloysius and the cocktail party at Summer Salt, Cronulla, on Friday, June 22.
Details: info@stacronulla.catholic.edu.au or phone the school office 9523 2593.
