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The Windsor Hall School in collaboration with the Valleyview Secondary School have launched a new project in hopes of spreading positivity and kindness throughout the province.

Photo courtesy Windsor Hall School

Canada Star Secondary School launches THE MAGNET PROJECT to spread positivity across the province

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 11:06 PDT, Thu April 24, 2025

Last Updated: 2:58 PDT, Tue April 29, 2025

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Canada Star Secondary School, in collaboration with students from the Mr. Evan Christian’s Leadership Class at Valleyview Secondary School in Kamloops, is proud to announce the launch of THE MAGNET PROJECT, an inspiring initiative to spread positivity and kindness throughout the province. This project was inspired by a recent trip to Chicago by Canada Star Secondary School Head of School, Dr. Robert Anstey, where he discovered a “You Are Beautiful” magnet on a stop sign post. This project aims to replicate and expand upon the ethos of a global art movement.

THE MAGNET PROJECT draws inspiration from artist Matthew Hoffman’s “You Are Beautiful” campaign, which began in 2002. Hoffman’s initiative started with simple stickers bearing the uplifting message, distributed anonymously across Chicago to counteract the negative messages people encounter daily. Over the years, it grew into a worldwide movement, spreading millions of messages of self-worth and kindness via stickers, magnets, and installations left in public spaces.

Taking a cue from this impactful project students from Canada Star Secondary School and the Leadership Class at Valleyview Secondary School in Kamloops have come together to create and distribute thousands of magnets featuring seven unique positive messages such as YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL and YOU ARE ENOUGH. These magnets will be randomly placed in public spaces throughout British Columbia, offering moments of surprise and encouragement to those who discover them. Recipients are invited to take the magnets home as a tangible reminder of hope, connection, and inspiration.

“Finding that magnet in Chicago was a small yet profound reminder of the good in the world — a spark I knew our students could bring to our community. THE MAGNET PROJECT is about more than words; it’s about creating profound moments of joy and connection through simple acts of kindness. Seeing Mr. Evan Christian from Valleyview Secondary embrace this vision for his students was truly inspiring!” said Dr. Anstey, head of Canada Star Secondary School.

The campaign is designed to remind people that they are seen, valued, and appreciated, no matter where they are or what they’re going through. Each magnet carries a message of positivity, intended to resonate universally and foster a sense of hope.

Canada Star Secondary School and Valleyview Secondary School (Leadership Class) are thrilled to invite community members to join in this initiative. Share your magnet discoveries on social media using the hastag #TheMagnetProject and helps us amplify the ripple of positivity.

For more information please contact Dr. Robert Anstey at robert@canstarlearning.com or 604-285-7766.