A huge team effort made the day a success

Pink Shirt Day at Rutherford wasn’t just about wearing pink, it was about taking a stand for kindness, inclusivity, and mental wellbeing. On Friday, May 16, the school raised an impressive $1131 through gold coin donations all in support of the Mental Health Foundation. 

The funds will help deliver wellbeing initiatives for schools, provide free tools and resources to school and workplaces, support rainbow rangatahi across Aotearoa, and grow the Upstander movement, empowering students to speak up and create safer communities. 

A huge team effort made the day a success, with various student groups leading initiatives: 

•    The Rainbow Club ran a bake sale right after school outside B Block, filling the air with the scent of freshly baked treats. 

•    NZSL Rutherford Group joined in with a stall, contributing to the lively atmosphere. •    PSSP hosted a clothing sale with donated items, giving students the chance to pick up something new while supporting a great cause. 

•    Peer Mediators captured the excitement with their Pink Photo Frame, photographing students and awarding a best dressed winner, and baking good for the bake sale, and creating free origami roses and compliments to share. 

•    Ms. Winter’s Health Class kept the energy high with face painting outside Info Comms and organized a window decorating competition for the Year 9s encouraging creativity and spreading the message of kindness. 

Pink Shirt Day at Rutherford was a powerful reminder that small gestures such as wearing pink, donating a coin, or simply being kind can spark real change.

by Zytka Villamartin