Gumboot day a hit with the boys
28 May 2021
Rain on Friday meant perfect weather for Gumboot Day, College boys wearing wellies with their uniforms to raise awareness of mental health issues, and those needing counselling.
Four students, led by Tom Stephens Head of Wellbeing, and Assistant Principal – Community Engagement and Special Projects Neil Porter started the day by joining a breakfast walk in support of Mike King’s “I am Hope Foundation”. With another 90 plus people they each walked in their gumboots for 1km through Christchurch’s central city and laneways, matching Mike King’s single effort in Auckland where he walked 100km for the cause. Riverside and the Christchurch Central City Business Association organised the local event and invited the College to take part.
Tom Stephens told the College boys in assembly yesterday that Gumboot Day represented a chance to hit home the message that those suffering from mental health illnesses should be noticed and helped.
“Everyone in gumboots will display their support for those people. Donations to the cause will fund counselling for people all over New Zealand who are stuck in the mud and on a waiting list for counselling. In wearing gumboots we are trudging through the mud with them.”
The school listened, and once again College showed its strong support for a worthwhile and important cause.
