‘Week of Kindness’ at Wellington

Tomorrow would have been Taylor Marsters’ tenth birthday. Taylor was a pupil in year 4 who died tragically in June as the result of a very serious asthma attack. Taylor touched the lives of all of those who knew him at Wellington. He was a great friend to very many boys and girls, and an enthusiast for all the school activities he enjoyed. In the week before his death, he won prizes for both rugby and poetry. Everyone talks with fondness and sadness about Taylor: without fail, his friends talk about his kindness. Following his mother Michelle’s suggestion, plans have been organised to celebrate Taylor with a College ‘Week of Kindness’. During our Week of Kindness, from September 18th, we are encouraging everyone at Wellington to remember Taylor by being especially kind. The teachers and support staff are going to be just as involved as the pupils. Lots have signed up to a secret kindness scheme, organised by Lucy Palmer, in which they have been randomly allocated someone to be especially kind to next week. The challenge is to be particularly kind to that someone, without them noticing. It will be easier for those for whom kindness is normal. Kindness is one of our Wellington values. Our young friends in the bilingual nursery school are having a week of kindness as well. We cannot think of a more meaningful way to celebrate Taylor than for everyone in our community to try to be their better self in his honour, particularly if we can continue to try after the week is over.