Our Queer Straight Alliance (QSA) student-led group planned Horomaka’s first ever School Pride Week this year.

It was a successful week of events to celebrate our Rainbow Youth here at Horomaka, with our aim to make everyone within the LGBTQ+ community to feel supported, included and welcomed by their school and peers, as well as celebrating the queer people who came before us.

During the week, students got to make crafts, contribute to a pride wall in the Library, draw some Rainbow Chalk Art in the quads, and quickly demolished a bake sale full of delicious rainbow treats! 

The week culminated in a non-uniform day raising money for two organisations who support rainbow youth in Aotearoa, Rainbow Youth and Inside Out.

Some money is also going to help Tauranga’s Rainbow Youth rebuild their Rainbow House after it was burnt down in an arson attack recently, which we were very sad to hear about. 

Special thanks the Arts Committee for helping with the decorations, along with thanks to QSA members for their mahi in organising and running the week.

QSA and their supporters are excited to plan next year’s School Pride Week to make sure all students feel safe and a sense of tūrangawaewae here at Horomaka.