Hair for you, cuz
As all eyes were on the falling locks, all hearts were united as a hall full of children showed that family harmony could extend to a whole school.
Central Normal School in Palmerston North threw its support behind wha¯nau in need yesterday, hosting a bright colours fundraiser for the family of one of their pupils, whose 23-month-old sister Ahurewa Rapira has been diagnosed with leukaemia.
Ahurewa’s cousin Aria-joy Barker-pule, 8, also attends Central Normal. Because Ahurewa was going to lose her hair because of cancer treatment, she decided to do the same.
Aria-joy said she wanted to be brave like her cousin.
Her brother Hezekiah, 11, and cousin Hauiti, 10, each chopped one of her pigtails off, before Api Manuel from Anchor Barber Shop started with the clippers.
Schoolmates supported her by performing a waiata, and the emotional show of unity even brought a few tears among her classmates.
She was excited about having her head shaved in front of the school. It was only her second ever haircut.
‘‘I think I will let it grow, but if Ahurewa still has the same hair I will do it again.’’
Principal Regan Orr said when someone in the school wha¯nau was not very well, the school community would look after them.
‘‘It’s an amazing effort. The values of our school, they really come through.’’
The school raised about $800. Ahurewa is receiving treatment at Starship Hospital in Auckland, supported by her parents, Brad Rapira and Rachael Potaka.