At our recent Senior School Assembly, Arnav Sinha and Chloe Saunders presented their initiative, a legacy that they want to leave the School as the 2018 Head Boy and Head Girl. It is called the ‘Good Human Award’. Here is part of what they said:
“We want to tell you how we developed this new Award. It came about from them noticing that the same kinds of people get Awards. The sporty people receive sports colours and honours, the people who contribute artistic and performance items to School events get cultural colours and honours and those who are academically talented receive multiple Awards. However, we’d like to recognise people whose acts of kindness are often needed but not properly acknowledged. That is why we have called it the Good Human Award.
We’d like to present this Award to those who affirm compassion and empathy while demonstrating general kindness for others; people who are just good humans. It would be a person who, in the past week or month has helped you or those around you. It could be in small ways like the person who always holds open the door open for you or help at your locker. Or it could be something bigger: clearing up rubbish at lunch or sitting with someone who appears to be alone. The beauty about this Award is that anyone can get it because everyone has the ability to be a good human. We think that it’s important to recognise the people who often perform acts of kindness without seeking recognition from others.
This Award is special, because we want to encourage all of us to be better versions of ourselves, to challenge us to try to make just a little difference to ours and others’ lives. It is based on kindness, empathy and compassion.
When initially deciding to create the Award, we wanted to make it different from all the rest, we wanted it to be unique. This Award is for the students by the students. You nominate the student, the people you believe are deserving of this Award. The nomination form has suggested criteria; however, to nominate someone will only take about two minutes. The nomination forms are located at Senior School Reception and it has on it just three questions.
* The first is a checklist with key words, such as kindness or caring for others. You must simply tick the boxes that you believe best describe the person that you’re selecting. There is also space to write other words, in case we haven’t covered everything.
* The second is the examples section. Tell us why you believe that person deserves the Award. What have they done that makes them a ‘good human’?
* The third is an odd one but we think it helps you describe the person if the works don’t come to you easily. If they were a fictional character, who would they be? Maybe they’d be Russell from UP because they’re always persistent and willing to help those around them or maybe they’re Yogi Bear because they’re resourceful in the ways in which they help people and are always looking out for their companions.
* Make sure you put the nominee’s full name on the sheet and we’ve made it optional for you to put your name down, just in case you’re shy but still want to contribute.
The Award will be presented at the end of each Term. You can submit a form whenever you want throughout the Term, the ‘Good Human’ of the Term will be presented with a Certificate made by us. There will also be a plaque with the recipient’s name printed and displayed on the new Walk of Recognition. This Walk will be located directly outside the student entrance to Senior School.
Our vision is that not only will the Award physically transform the area, so that fellow students will be inspired by those who have earned the Award, but that it will become a long standing tradition, injecting a sense of PMACS history and culture.
Thank you for your time and attention. We hope you nominate someone to become the inaugural Good Human.”
Written by Arnav Sinha - PMACS Head Boy and
Chloe Saunders - PMACS Head Girl