It is always a great week as the students help others in the community and make a real difference in people’s lives. The students enjoy getting stuck in and seeing the fantastic house transformation. They also love the experience of meeting and talking with the families they are supporting.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organisation that helps families build and improve a place to call home in New Zealand and worldwide. They believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. Since 1993, Habitat has brought people together to be the heart of change in local communities. They have supported hundreds of families with their housing programmes. Congratulations Habitat for Humanity, on 30 years of aroha.

Waikato Hospital Chaplaincy Support

After a two-year COVID pause, we are back in the Hospital, helping to transfer patients to and from chapel services on a Sunday morning. Thank you to all the students who offered to be involved, especially Allie, Amiria, Bella, Caitlin, Charlotte, Chelsea, Danielle, Felicity, Grace, Iris, Jamie, Jasmine, Jorja, Olivia and Ella! We'll be back in 2024.

White Ribbon Hīkoi

This morning, our Year 9 Te Reo Maaori Classes, 9C Core Class, 9 Literacy Class, senior students Brooke Trebilco, Tia Lord, Tania Pakinga, counsellors Lizzie Upperton and Sarah Peters, and Whaea Nicola and Koka took part in the White Ribbon hīkoi down Clarkin Rd. They joined tamariki and supporters from Fairfield Primary and Fairfield Intermediate in the march.

White Ribbon Day, 25 November, is the international day when people wear a white ribbon to show they do not condone violence towards women. This year the White Ribbon kaupapa was: We can all play a part in teaching boys to be caring, supportive, ethical, respectful, friendly, generous, and awesome, and reduce the amount of family violence in our community.

This White Ribbon Campaign promotes healthy masculinity through the campaign 'Boys will be Boys' by taking back the phrase that excuses poor behaviour and flipping it on its head.

There are awesome things about being a boy that we need to celebrate.

Boys have heart – encourage them to show it, not just in being tough or brave or strong but in showing that they care.
Boys can and should cry – it’s part of being human and serves a purpose; expressing your feelings allows you to work through them – bottling up emotions isn’t healthy.
Boys can play sports, be part of a team, like fast cars and still stand up and speak out when they hear others being abusive.
Boys are loyal friends and can call others in – have a quiet chat with a mate if he says something abusive or offensive about girls or women, don’t just let it go. Share your feelings and ask why they feel that way – you can help. Be the change you want to see in the world. Every person can make a difference.

It takes strength and bravery to stand up and speak out in a world that too often wants to limit you to stereotypical gender roles. We need to celebrate the good we see in our young men and change the script.

https://whiteribbon.org.nz/

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