Pink Shirt Day

It is an international day that celebrates inclusiveness in our communities and schools. As a Catholic College, one of our gospel values is respect and for young people to have a sense of belonging is so important. Pink Shirt Day will be followed in the next couple of weeks with year levels being involved in a video-based education programme focusing on diversity and the importance of having a sense of belonging and acceptance of who we are.

The topics covered are: Gender, Sex and Sexuality; Transgender and Intersex; Diversity and Difference; Bullying and Respect and Responsibility. For years 7-9 the clips are around 5 minutes long while for years 10-13 each clip is around 8 minutes. Here is the address showing the material that will be used ( https://insideout.ry.org.nz/).

The programme is New Zealand based and celebrates difference rather than using differences to put down or bully others. It very much supports the idea that we are all made in the image of God and therefore all lives are sacred. We all have similar basic needs and the programme encourages the focus to be on similarities rather than differences. We would encourage parents to look at the material so they could clarify any ideas or questions their child might have.

The clips will mainly be shown by Deans at their specific year levels over the next three weeks during tutor times or extended tutor times, with the exception being year 10 where it will be incorporated into the Health programme.

If, after looking at the material, you are not comfortable with the content, as a parent you can withdraw your child from the sessions. Please let your child’s tutor teacher know by Monday, 24th May, if you do not wish your child to take part in these sessions.