Nau mai haere mai, talofa lava, malo e lelei, kiorana and bulavinaka,

This week our senior leaders and students have celebrated kindness, diversity and acceptance.

On Thursday the PRIDE flag was raised at the front of the school to celebrate our students, staff and family members who identify as part of the LGBTQI community. The month of June is set aside for honouring the gay and gender diverse movement because of the Stonewall Riots which took place at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village in New York on June 28 1969. These occurred at the same time as the women’s rights movement was taking off and Vietnam War protests were unfolding. The Stonewall riots are widely credited with launching the gay and transgender rights movement in the USA and globally, with two prominent leaders being Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two African American transgender women.

Today I heard one of the most powerful addresses I have ever experienced at a school assembly. Selai Nakaroti spoke to our students about her lived experience as a Fijian woman of racism growing up and living in Christchurch and now also watching some heart-breaking experiences for her children. Her words were from the heart, emotional and utterly powerful. She received a standing ovation from staff and students at the end of her speech. I know we will all go away and think deeply as a result of being in the privileged space of hearing her this morning. She was then supported by excellent speeches on racism by Florencia Flores, Esther Smith and Afza Rafeeq (all Year 13). I congratulate these young women on being prepared to stand up and address these issues which takes courage.

A big thank you to our leaders for organising the week and the assembly. They have done a wonderful job – we can underestimate how much potential lies in our student body and it is rewarding seeing them owning their assemblies and presenting engaging, relevant and topical events. Staff enjoyed the chocolates in their pigeon holes as well!

Ngā mihi nui

Christine O’Neill