‘Good Human’ Award is a new student award, nominated by students and developed by 2018’s Head Boy and Head Girl, Arnav Sinha and Chloe Saunders.
The award is in recognition of a student who demonstrates consistent acts of compassion, empathy and inclusion. The selection of the recipient is through nomination, in writing, by other students.
The purpose of the award is to help promote the notion of School ownership and spirit, and to develop a culture and identity of the PMACS student. An award nominated by students for students gives the student population a sense of empowerment and ability to acknowledge those students who may not be readily recognised by the staff. The hopes of this award is to acknowledge those students who are consistently helpful, kind, thoughtful, compassionate, demonstrate empathy through the embodiment of those qualities the School values and wish to promote in our student population.
The students will nominate someone who always makes sure others are included, or someone who always asks if you’re okay, someone who is always willing to lend a hand, or someone who will offer to have the odd one out join their group. This award is a recognition of those who are generally overall ‘good humans’.
The current Student Leaders believe that the student-friendly language of the award will help spread the significance and acceptance of the award throughout the student population in an attempt to help promote and develop School spirit. They are excited about the opportunity to be involved with and develop something that they feel will prove to be a significant and integral part of the Peter Moyes ACS community.
The award acknowledges behaviour observed or experienced in School by students. The criteria separates the Good Human Award from all other awards that reward accomplishment of physical prowess, academic success or community involvement. This award recognises one-on-one student behaviours in daily interactions.
The desire of using a less formal term in the naming of the award aids in the student population to embrace the award. It also makes the concept readily available to other Sub-School student populations, should they too wish to acknowledge and promote student behaviours.
There were many nominations for many different students, which is exactly what we were hoping for when we developed the award and as Head Boy and Head Girl, we had to seriously deliberate over the nominations as there were so many worthy contenders.
The winner for 2018 was Year 12 student Bailey Cunningham and below is the speech given as Bailey was presented his award:
“Hi Everyone,
Arnav and I are absolutely thrilled today because we get to announce something really near and dear to our hearts. We’re sure you all remember earlier in the term we came to talk to you about the schools latest award, an award for the students by the students to acknowledge those amongst us who consistently show themselves to be good humans. Arnav and I were blown away at the quantity and quality of nominations and we hope you all continue to nominate and recognise those good humans around you into the next year. It was a tough and time-consuming decision trying to narrow down the competition, but with the commemorative plaque ordered and the certificate made, we are ready to announce the inaugural Good Human of 2018. So without further ado:
This semester’s winner received multiple nominations from a variety of different students who could not speak highly enough of them. Described in their nominations as a student whose commitment to others is something all should aspire to, it is easy to see them as a role model for all of us here today. This Good Human consistently chooses to do what is right regardless of their own personal interests and incorporates little acts of service into their daily activities, from holding doors open to unstacking everyone’s chairs in order to honour their fellow humans. This student consistently works to show a high degree of compassion and is known for reaching out either digitally or in person to those in times of hardship asking how they can be of assistance. Alternatively, our Good Human also works to display gratitude to those around them who also give to our school community and in showing deep and honest appreciation for those around them can be seen going above and beyond to ensure those around them feel truly valued.
It is our great pleasure to welcome to the stage to receive the inaugural Good Human award, Bailey Cunningham.”
Chloe Saunders and Arnav Sinha
2018 Student Leaders
Image: Arnav (Head Boy), Bailey Cunningham (Inaugural Winner), Chloe Saunders (Head Girl) standing by the plaque in Senior School. Bailey is we hope the first of many to be on the wall of recognition of the ‘Good Human’ award.