Pink Shirt Day 2024

Rutherford College celebrated the message of inclusivity on Pink Shirt Day - Friday the 17th May. Teachers and students decked themselves out in pink clothing and donated to the Mental Health foundation which supports Inside Out.  

Inside Out is a charity that works to support rainbow rangatahi in Aoteroa who are in the LGBTIQ+ community.  There was a combined effort to organise activities.  The Peer Mediators created a fabulous pink photo frame that travelled around the school during breaks so students could photograph themselves standing up against bullying.  

The Fairy Breads group held a baking bake sale after school which raised hundreds of dollars and created a good vibe as students were leaving school.  The year 12 Health students set up various activities around school during break times - there was chalk messages and face painting, and guess the number of lollies in the jar.  

The Peer Sexuality Support team created a Kahoot for tutor classes to do in tutor time that was themed on LGBTIQ+ misconceptions. 

Pink Shirt day aims to specifically support students who suffer from homophobic and transphobic bullying.  It was a fun and festive atmosphere around school.

by Michelle Parkinson