Wear it Purple Day
R U OK? Day: A Conversation Could Change a Life
Faith Field
Secondary School Nurse
Wear It Purple Day at NGSC
On Friday 21 st August, NGSC celebrated Wear It Purple Day. Students had the opportunity toparticipate in a range of activities that promoted empathy, respectful relationships, and the importance of embracing diversity.
This year’s Wear It Purple Day theme is “Colours of Courage”. “Courage is not just expressed in big moments, but in everyday choices to live proudly and invite others into understanding, acceptance and celebration.” Colours of Courage celebrates the many different forms of courage shown by LGBTQIA+SB young people, allies and communities every day. Courage can look like speaking up, standing out and creating change. It can also take quieter forms of bravery, like living authentically, coming out, asking for support, standing beside someone, or choosing pride and hope in spaces where being yourself does not always feel easy.
Wear It Purple Day provides an opportunity for our school community to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and respect. The day is a reminder that every student deserves to learn in an environment free from bullying, discrimination, and exclusion.
Together, we can foster a culture where every young person feels seen, supported, and empowered to be themselves.
R U OK? Day: A Conversation Could Change a Life
On Thursday 10 th September, our school will once again recognise R U OK? Day, Australia's national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that meaningful conversations can make a real difference.
R U OK? Day encourages us to check in with the people around us—our friends, classmates, teachers, and family members. While a simple "How are you going?" may seem like a small gesture, taking the time to genuinely listen can help someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Secondary school can be an exciting time, but it can also bring challenges. Balancing schoolwork, friendships, extracurricular activities, and other commitments isn't always easy. That's why building a culture where everyone feels comfortable reaching out and checking in with one another is so important.
On R U OK? Day, students will have the opportunity to participate in activities that promote kindness, connection, wellbeing and help seeking, including classroom discussions in Connect, lunchtime events, wellbeing activities, and opportunities to learn how to recognise when someone may need support and how to respond with empathy.
Remember the four simple steps promoted by R U OK?:
- Ask – Start a genuine conversation.
- Listen – Give the other person your full attention.
- Encourage action – Suggest they connect with trusted supports if they need extra
- help.
- Check in – Follow up to show you care.
Everyone has the ability to make a positive difference. Whether it's inviting someone to join your group at lunch, sending a supportive message, or simply asking, "R U OK?", your kindness could brighten someone's day or encourage them to seek the support they need.
As a school community, let's continue to look out for one another—not just on R U OK? Day, but every day. Together, we can create a safe, caring, and inclusive environment where everyone knows they belong and that help is always available.
