Ashhurst pupils go loud
Pupils at one Manawatu¯ school dressed as loud as they could to help those who can’t hear.
Ashhurst School took part in Loud Shirt Day on yesterday and this year’s theme is superheroes, so the school was filled with Batmen, Captain Americas and Wonder Women.
Loud Shirt Day is on Friday, when groups and businesses around New Zealand are challenged to wear their brightest shirts to raise up to $200,000 for The Hearing House in Auckland and Southern Cochlear Implant Programme in Christchurch.
Ashhurst pupils held a parade and were awarded prizes for best dressed. They raised more than $400.
Sitieva Kinane, 12, was on the organising committee and was keen to help out for a good cause.
‘‘It’s fun and it’s fun to raise money for the deaf,’’ she said.
She was sporting a pink Superman cape.
Lucy Fowell, 13, said pupils were keen to help raise money for deaf people.
Revere Mcgregor, 12, wanted to help raise money for cochlear implants.
Even the staff dressed up, with principal Heath Chittenden turning into Captain America and deputy principal Karyn Giles becoming Batman.
With the theme of superheros, people taking part were encouraged to be a superhero for New Zealand’s deaf children.
The Hearing House and Southern Cochlear Implant Programme provide support to help speed up children’s language development to make the most of their new hearing powers.
Examples of extra resources they need include specialist toys and books, resources to support teachers in the regions, extra speech language therapy, social skills groups and music therapy.