Many years ago, I watched a short video called “The Science of Happiness” and the message of this video has stuck with me since then. 

The people who created the video looked at the scientific research into what makes us happy and then planned and actioned experiments to test the research. In this instance, they devised an experiment to test the theory that one of the greatest contributing factors to happiness is how much we practise gratitude. 

The participants were given a survey to complete before they started the experiment and the same survey, worded slightly differently, at the end of the experiment. The survey was used to measure their overall feeling of happiness. After completing the first survey, they asked the participants to think of someone who had inspired them in their life and to write that person a letter, expressing their gratitude and thanking them for being a special part of their life.  

After writing the letter, the people in the study thought that they had finished the experiment, but then they were asked if they would like to call the person they had chosen and read the letter to them over the phone. It was optional, they didn’t have to call the person if they didn’t feel comfortable or had not set aside the time to do so. They shared the results of those who made a phone call as well as those who were not able to make the call.  

The results of the experiment showed that the people who wrote something down but were not able to call the person had an increase in their happiness of between 2% and 4%. For those who personally expressed their gratitude, there was an increase between 4% and 19%. 

This week we are acknowledging and saying thank you to our Classroom SSO’s, otherwise known as Teacher Assistants, who help our students every day by supporting learning in the classroom. It is great that we have this formal opportunity to say thank you to this amazing group of people and the contribution that they make to the teaching and learning experiences of our students. We hope that through the actions of expressing gratitude, our students can experience the joy that comes from celebrating and thanking people who help us and are a positive influence in our lives.  

If you would also like to test the theory that gratitude is linked to happiness, try reaching out to someone this week and thank them for what they do. If you can’t speak to them in person, write a note or an email letting them know how much they mean to you. Whether you send them a note or express your gratitude verbally, the benefits to your happiness are scientifically proven, and I am sure that they will also feel blessed by your gratitude and appreciation.  

Have a wonderful week,  

Kerri Charity 

Deputy Principal