To instil the values of empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence among students, Atmiya Vidya Mandir International School for Boys organized the Kindness Intelligence Competition for Grades 1 to 10 on 23rd August 2025 at various venues (School Auditorium, Computer Lab and Prayer Hall). Unlike traditional academic competitions, this unique event aimed at evaluating not only intellectual skills but also students’ ability to understand and practice kindness in everyday life.

The objectives of the event were threefold:

  • to promote kindness, compassion, and helpful behaviour;
  • to encourage critical thinking about moral values and emotional responses; and
  • to foster a positive and inclusive school environment.

Participation:

The students were divided into their respective houses – Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, and Suhradam. The competition was structured at different levels:

  • Grades 1 to 3 – Two students from each house were selected by the house convenor.
  • Grades 4 to 6 – Two students from each house were selected by the house convenor.
  • Grades 7 and 8 – All students participated.
  • Grades 9 and 10 – All students participated.

Grades 1 to 3 (2:45 pm – 3:45 pm):

The youngest participants began with two engaging rounds. In Round 1: Act of Kindness, students shared examples of kind acts accompanied by meaningful quotes or keywords. They also listened attentively to peers and responded with a suitable word or quote. Round 2: Short Role Play allowed them to enact chosen acts of kindness, ending with a keyword or quote symbolizing their performance. Their innocence and sincerity impressed everyone. After careful judgment, Suhradam House secured the 1st position, while Satyam House and Shivam House tied for 2nd place, and Sundaram House was awarded 3rd position respectively.

Grades 4 to 6 (2:45 pm – 3:45 pm):

These students showcased their talents through Round 1: Kindness Role – Reversed Skit. Each group picked a chit containing everyday scenarios such as teasing, cutting queues, taking extra snacks, or using others’ belongings without permission. They enacted both unkind and kind versions, highlighting the impact of behaviour. In Round 2: Kindness Card Making, students designed heartfelt cards for teachers, parents, friends, or hostel mentors, decorating them with quotes and illustrations. Judging criteria included clarity, presentation, creativity, execution, and fluency. The results placed Satyam House in 1st position, Shivam House 2nd, and Suhradam House 3rd.

Grades 7 and 8 (2:10 pm – 3:20 pm):

Students first watched a video from a creative assembly titled “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” Afterwards, one student from each house picked a chit revealing a setting such as the school, dining hall, sports ground, or home, where their kindness act needed to be demonstrated. Groups were given 25 minutes to plan their skits and 5 minutes to perform. Judging was based on kindness, presentation, time management, and discipline. The thoughtful performances highlighted their maturity, with Sundaram House bagging 1st place, followed by Suhradam House and Shivam House in 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.

Grades 9 and 10 (3:35 pm – 5:05 pm):

Older students participated in a unique Balloon Game designed to provide experiential learning about kindness.

Round 1 – Save Your Balloon (4 minutes): Students tried to protect their balloons while bursting others’, leaving none intact.

Round 2 – Save Your Balloon (3 minutes): With greater awareness, around 20 balloons survived till the end.

Round 3 – Burst Your Balloon (5 minutes): Students were told each balloon represented the face of God. Despite being instructed to burst them, all 20 balloons remained safe, as students respected the sacred symbolism.

The activity concluded with a powerful message: hurting others is like bursting their balloon, but true happiness comes from protecting and valuing each individual. The evaluation for this group focused on adherence to instructions and the reflection or takeaway demonstrated by the students.

All four houses were ranked based on two criteria:

  • Adherence to instructions – how well the students followed.
  • Reflection and Takeaway – the clarity of understanding the message students carried with them after performing the activity.

In the first round Suhradam House scored the 1st position while Shivam House and Sundaram House were tied for the 2nd place followed by Satyam House with 3rd position. In the second round Sundaram House bagged the 1st position with Suhradam Houe and Shivam House achieving the 2nd and 3rd position respectively.

Audience Response & Conclusion:

The audience was deeply moved by the creativity and emotional awareness shown by the students across all grades. Their performances reflected an impressive grasp of kindness, empathy, and inclusion.

The Kindness Intelligence Competition was a resounding success, reinforcing the belief that kindness is not merely taught in classrooms but lived and practiced in daily life. It left a lasting impact on students and teachers alike, setting a strong foundation for the school’s values and culture.

Reported by: Renuka Ma’am