Special day for special teacher
By MICHELLE COOKE - East And Bays Courier
PRETTY IN PINK: Sommerville Special School had a pink day to raise money and awareness for last month’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From left: Serena Liu, 11, teacher Shelly Clark and Deema Ali, 7.
Relevant offers
Sommerville Special School broke out in pink fever last week to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a special teacher who died from the disease.
Tairi Fenwick passed away earlier this year and her death affected not only students and staff but the wider school community, says teacher Shelly Clark, who organised the day’s events.
"We wanted to do something that was fun and to make it all inclusive – because it’s not just the adults that are affected," she says.
Music, dance, pink food and fundraising were all on the day’s agenda.
Everyone wore a touch of pink, some were pink from head to toe.
A group of ladies from the Inner Wheel Club of Auckland East also attended.
They were eager to present the students with musical instruments they have been designing and making for the last six weeks.
The women’s group, whose members are affiliated with Rotary, have asked their friends and family to collect recyclable items so they can continue making instruments for the school.
Joan Poole and Tam Garlick were both delighted to play a part in the project.
"Rather than giving money we gave our time – doing something practical and creative," says Mrs Garlick.
"Part of of this is working as a group, and doing something for the community at the same time."
Mrs Garlick looked up ideas in a library book and adapted them.
Sixteen ladies made the different instruments using a range of recycled products.
"We made sure they were colourful, safe and made a noise," says Ms Clark – ensuring that the pink day ended with a bang.
