Growing facial hair together and engaging in conversations about male health has strengthened the student teacher relationship at Calderwood Christian School.
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Students and staff at the school have teamed up for the month of November to grow moustaches, in support of Movember.
‘’It is common for students to think of teachers as 'them' rather than 'us',’’ deputy principal Stephen Babbage said.
‘’By doing something together, in this case growing their facial hair for a cause, it can really shift thinking so our teachers and students work more effectively together in the classroom.’’
School principal Dr Kate Bertram said everyone was ‘’greatly impressed by the level of student engagement with Movember’s objectives’’.
Year 11 student Peter Chayna added ‘’ we’ve had serious conversations about health, as well as having a laugh with each other about the moustaches being grown’’.
Three out of four suicides are by males, 3000 men die each year from prostate cancer, which is more deaths than women from breast cancer.
- Ross Graham
Secondary sports coordinator and campaign organiser Ross Graham said the month long campaign has not simply been about bringing students and teachers together for educational gain.
‘’We want to raise awareness of important health concerns for men, just like the Movember Foundation,’’ he said.
‘’It’s common for men to ignore the warning signs or be a bit embarrassed to talk about prostate cancer or mental health.
‘’But the statistics make for terrible reading. Three out of four suicides are by males, 3000 men die each year from prostate cancer, which is more deaths than women from breast cancer.’’
Central to Calderwood Christian School’s message to both its participants and the male members of the school community is to seek help when you need it and to look after your friends when they’re in need of support.