Pride Week 2020

Amidst the whole school, the colours of hot pink, red, orange, yellow, green, turquoise, indigo and violet shone through each quote and every picture. For Rototuna High Schools, Pride Week was all about coming together and celebrating ourselves no matter who we are, for the whole school to learn to embrace each other just the way they are.

The Rainbow Project put their year’s work in to make it all possible. The goal of bringing awareness and educating people about how everyone should be included, accepted and valued for who they are. This is what inspired them to do this. During Pride Week at Rototuna High Schools, there were many opportunities to celebrate diversity, and to The Rainbow Project, running Pride Week felt amazing and, “significant to have a week where we can be ourselves. “

Pride Week turned out to be an exciting week, filled with numerous activities.

- Monday Chalk Art: Under the library during interval and lunch, chalk was available to make your masterpieces.

- Tuesday Clothing Drive: Bins we're set up all day for people to come and donate their old clothes to the Waikato Queer Youth’s closet for Trans and Nonbinary people.

- Wednesday Appreciation Day: During interval and lunch post-it notes were available to write notes of appreciation and place them on the poles for everyone to see.

- Wednesday Open Mic: Outside the courtyard between both schools, there was an open mic during lunchtime for everyone.

- Thursday Pride Parade: At lunchtime, a Pride Parade was held with students walking around decked in pride colours and singing along to a number of LGBTQ+ anthems.

- Friday Ask Queer People Anything: During the interval, under the library, there was an opportunity for a question and answer session about the LGBTQ+ community.

- Friday Queer History Quiz: In the Senior High cafe during lunchtime, there was a game show where teachers competed to see how much they know about the LGBTQ+ history.

And lastly, on Friday 11th September 2020 there was an Express Yourself Mufti Day. On this day, students dressed in outfits which expressed who they are, embracing their passionate support for Pride Week. As a school, it was a fantastic way to celebrate a fantastic cause.

A big thank you to The Rainbow Project for organising such a great week