The Duchess of Cambridge led an online school assembly on kindness Thursday morning, telling students that “talking to someone, whether it’s a friend, family member or teacher, is something you can do to make yourself feel that little bit better.”
Kate delivered her assembly speech through the Oak National Academy online learning platform, which has been providing lesson plans and teaching units for students and teachers across the United Kingdom
“Being unable to see your friends or spend time with your family will undoubtedly be frustrating for you, just as it is for them. It’s been a really difficult time for us all. But it’s important to know that these feelings and frustrations are totally normal and that they won’t last forever,” the Duchess said.
“And you can also play your part in helping others to feel better too, whether offering a friendly ear or helping someone in need. Small acts of kindness can go such a long way.”
Kate viewed photographs from the students at Waterloo Primary Academy in Blackpool; they were submitting them to her Hold Still photography project with the National Portrait Gallery under one of its central themes of Acts of Kindness.
Her Royal Highness continued in her speech:
“But as we help others, we mustn’t forget to nurture ourselves, by taking the time to focus on the things that make us feel happy, too.”
“We all have our ups and downs, especially when things change in our lives as they have in so many ways recently. This can cause us to have a huge range of different feelings. Sometimes these feelings may be good, but sometimes they may be uncomfortable, and we feel worried, angry or upset.”
Kate also saw the class’s art projects, which used the NHS rainbow symbol, and commented: “I think the NHS have been so proud, and they’ve been so grateful for all the acts of kindness that everyone in the country’s been showcasing. Such a small act of kindness can go such a long way.”
Before she ended her assembly, the Duchess of Cambridge thanked the students for listening to her, saying, “It was really lovely to hear some of the ways in which you’re all being kind to each other. Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. Look after yourselves. Reach out when you need help, and do your part to support those in need.”
Kate’s assembly can be viewed in full here.
