Artarmon Public School (on Cammeraygal land) has unveiled a new mural, capping off a year-long, student-led project called The Kindness Project.

School captain, Audrey Grace said school data indicated that the school needed to become a kinder place.

“We chose the kindness project because our school wide data showed students weren't feeling like they belonged,” Audrey said. “So, we decided that's what we wanted to do to make an impact this year.”

The first step involved reading The Kindness Project by Deborah Abela, to help them devise an approach and brainstorm ideas.

Throughout the year, the students implemented kindness challenges, like ‘compliment five people you meet today’ or play with someone who looks alone in the playground, and these small acts have resulted in a strong foundation and a kinder school.

They also produced a podcast, where they interviewed Deborah, and also explored notions such as how to be an upstander and not a bystander, that is, how to proactively reduce bullying and disrespect.

A ‘kind raising’ initiative and a grant from Willoughby Council enabled the students to raise enough money for the mural, which is a visual representation of their legacy.

The mural has a strong multiculturalism focus to highlight how everyone belongs, no matter who you are. It was designed by the students, who worked with a professional mural business to realise their vision.

Year 6 student and SRC member Lilia Melkumyan said the initiative had worked, noting that even kindergarten students now knew how to respond to things in a kinder way.

“Overall, we've seen an increase in the awareness of what kindness is and how we can achieve kindness even with small acts, because these small acts create a foundation,” Lilia said.

“Everyday kids constantly and consciously try and do kind stuff or change what they would have said into something kinder or more respectful.”

Deborah Abela, who attended the opening of the mural, said it was the best thing that could happen to an author.

“There's no greater thing you can hear as an author; not only have readers enjoyed the story and the characters, but it's actually led to real change,” Deborah said.

Deborah wrote The Kindness Project after realising that the world is not as bad as portrayed in the news media.

“We've got beautiful friends and family, we've got amazing people who do incredible things for the community,” she said.

“Kindness can change the world. It's not a weakness, it's a strength. It is such a superpower and it can genuinely change people's lives.”

Deborah credits the kind words of her own Year 4 teacher in changing her life, as they encouraged her to become an author, giving her permission to believe it was possible.