Yesterday pupils joined children across the country to celebrate Empathy Day, which aims to help everyone understand and experience the power of empathy through books.
We have held an annual themed event for the past four years, but Empathy Day 2020 was particularly special as lockdown meant we had pupils and teachers sharing the day from many locations, notably Form 4 in-school ‘bubbles’ at the Prep and Senior Schools, as well as pupils and teachers in their own homes.
Throughout the day, there were online events and fun activities to help children read, connect and act using empathy. Highlights of the day from authors and illustrators included an introduction by Cressida Cowell; a drawing lesson from Rob Biddulph; Empathy Charades with Joseph Coehlo, and a call to action from Onjali Raúf.
In addition, children were encouraged to write to local key workers to express empathy and gratitude for their hard work at this difficult time. More than 300 letters have now been sent from our pupils to Cedar Court Care Home, The Old Rectory Nursing Home, Sainsburys in Cranleigh, the South East Coast Ambulance Service, the Royal Surrey Hospital and flight crew from a commercial airline.
Children and teachers enjoyed lots of interesting conversations during live lessons throughout the day.
