Embedded Files
Welcome to Evelyn Scott School's Wear It Purple Day Virtual Events Website.
At the very top of the webpage you will find links to songs, educational material, community resources and support for learners and families on gender identity, same sex relationships and embracing diversity and individuality. Toggle through at your own pace and select what interests you. Click on the 'More' arrow in the top right hand corner for more resource options.
We know the original date for WIPD was on Friday 27th August but rather than have the event overshadowed by Book Week we decided to celebrate it on Thursday 02/09/21.
What is Wear it Purple Day?
Wear It Purple Day is an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day especially for young people, based in Australia. Supporters wear purple to celebrate diversity and young people from the LGBTQIA+ (rainbow) community. For more information see https://www.wearitpurple.org/
Isn't Wear it Purple Day for teenagers and adults?
No we think it is important to celebrate Wear it Purple Day no matter how old you are. In fact, many young people start to think about their identity and sexuality in primary school. This might be when young people first notice they are different and not accepted for who they are. It may be when they first experience discrimination or bullying. We also acknowledge that some children are raised in families where their parents are LGBTQIA+. We share the same goal of Wear It Purple Day of ensuring that we create a safe, caring, respectful and inclusive school environment where everyone feels like they belong.
What is this years theme for Wear It Purple Day?
‘Start the conversation...Keep it going’
By having conversations with people from the LGBTQIA+ (rainbow) community we hope to give them a voice so we can learn from their experience. The issues we reflect on during Wear it Purple Day should not only be considered on that particular day… but every day.
Why do we need a Day for this?
People from the rainbow community have often been marginalised, silenced, bullied and discriminated against because of their sexuality and gender diversity or that of their parents or caregivers. Because of this, it's not surprising that the incidence of mental illness and suicide is much higher in rainbow young people. If we are to empower children and young people to be proud of who they are, and who they might become, we need to encourage and support them each day in the classroom. Wear it Purple Day is one of many ways to do this!
How can I celebrate virtually and show my support on the day?
Wear purple or rainbow colours
Send us a selfie shot and enter our Selfie competition evelynscottschool.information@ed.act.edu.au
Add a dash of purple and dance to the songs on this website (refer to menu at the very top of this page)
Listen to our read aloud books (refer to menu at the very top of this page)
Watch /read interviews with members of our school rainbow community (see below)
Do I have to celebrate Wear it Purple Day?
No of course not but please be respectful of others who will be celebrating.
If you or your child requires further support please don't hesitate to access the community resources below or alternatively, you can make a time to speak to our Wellbeing Coach, Beth Matters - beth.matters@ed.act.edu.au
in the classroom or workplace
MEET FELIX from our Pre-school wedgde-tailed eagle group
Felix, What does it mean to be in a rainbow family?
IMG_3380.MOVFelix, Who is in your family?
IMG_3385.MOVFelix, What does wear it purple day mean to you?
IMG_3414.MOVFelix, What is the best thing about having two mums?
IMG_3415.MOVFelix, if you could have any superpower what would it be?
IMG_3418.MOVMEET BELINDA, our learning Support Assistant, and her child Jordan
Some people don't neatly fit into the categories of "boy" or "girl”. They might have a gender that blends elements of being a boy or a girl, or a gender that is different to either male or female. Some people don't identify with any gender. Some people's gender changes over time….Meet Jordan who is 14 years old. Jordan describes themselves as non-binary meaning they don’t identify with any gender.
Wear It Purple day chat-20210830_150745-Meeting Recording.mp4
MEET Beth
1. What is your connection to Evelyn Scott School?
I am the school Wellbeing Coach
2. What does Wear it Purple Day mean to you?
It’s a day to celebrate diversity and to raise awareness of the struggles young people may be facing with their sexuality and gender identity. It also gives rainbow children and young people a voice and chance to be heard.
3. What was primary school like for you?
It was during the decade of the 80’s with fluoro socks, glam rock, Rubik cubes and lots of big hair and perms. It was a lot of fun and I loved school!! But I felt I had to keep a big secret about having two mum’s who were in love with each other. At the time, there was a lot of fear and hatred towards people in same-sex relationships and they weren’t always seen as fit and proper parents. I felt ashamed, so it was easier to pretend my family was just like everyone else’s.
4. What can school’s do better to be more inclusive and supportive?
No child should have to endure the pain of feeling like they don’t belong or are not worthy of love. "If you put shame in a Petri dish, it needs three things to grow exponentially: secrecy, silence and judgment. If you put the same amount of shame in a Petri dish and douse it with empathy, it can’t survive," says Dr. Brene Brown. I think everyone at school has a role to play in dousing shame with empathy and acceptance.
5. Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 5-year-old self about diversity at school?
It will get better…there will come a time when you won’t be judged on your parents relationship. You are loved and it’s ok to be different. In fact, that’s what makes the world so interesting! You will truly appreciate this.
6. If you could have any superhero power, what power would you have and why?
Super strength and humour just like the bionic woman (with the sound effects of course!)
MEET DIMITRI
1. What is your connection to Evelyn Scott School?
My cousin and friend Carole works at Evelyn Scott School as a Learning Support Assistant.
2. What does Wear it Purple Day mean to you?
Wear it Purple Day to me is about awareness, education, and acceptance. If the younger generations are given the opportunity to learn about rainbow people, it will create a much safer environment for young rainbow people to be themselves.
3. What was primary school like for you?
Primary school for me was a fun time, it was a time to be carefree and innocent.
4. What can school’s do better to be more inclusive and supportive?
The best thing schools can do is lead by example.
5. Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 5-year-old self about diversity at school?
Be kind to everyone especially if they are different. It is ok the be different. Being different isn't wrong it’s what makes us all special.
6. If you could have any superhero power, what power would you have and why?
I would have powers like Doctor Strange. He is awesome.
MEET Jodie
1. What is your connection to Evelyn Scott School?
Our little boy, Felix is at pre-school.
2. What does Wear it Purple Day mean to you?
Wear it Purple Day is really important to our family because it's about inclusion, it's about young people and how we celebrate diversity in so many different ways and so many different places within our society, including in our schools. Wear it Purple Day for us is really special because its about celebrating our family, our difference but our similarities as well and being included in our society.
3. What was primary school like for you?
It was actually quite a lot of fun. I grew up in a very small town in the bush. It really was everybody played together, everybody was in together and because of the kind of place that it was there really wasn't a recognition of difference or any of those kind of things. So I feel very fortunate about the primary school experience that I had.
4. What can school’s do better to be more inclusive and supportive?
Because schools are such an important place for kids and that kids really need to feel safe and need to feel like they can really be themselves at school always. I think that schools need that emphasis on inclusion and diversity and to be supportive of kids who are different. Kids are different for a wide variety of reasons so I suppose it's actually understanding that there is a diverse range of people with a diverse range of interests and a diverse range of needs that really needs to be supported.
5. Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 5-year-old self about diversity at school?
I think if I had to say something to my 5 year old self it would be that difference and being different is awesome. It is the best thing that happens when you mix with other people is getting a mix of different ideas and getting to know people who have a different way of thinking about things. That is actually a strength in our society and it's a wonderful thing to celebrate.
6. If you could have any superhero power, what power would you have and why?
Watch the video
IMG_3412.MOVPage updated
Report abuse