Category Archives: Equity and Diversity

Equity and Diversity, Our Community, The Community

NZ Sign Language Classes – Semester 2 2025

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Te Ratonga Whaikaha | Student Accessibility Service offers a short, introductory, skill-based New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) course, which is open to all UC students and staff.

No previous NZSL experience is required. Attendees have the option of further developing their NZSL through two more follow up courses at UC, or contacting other providers of community-based courses – further information will be given at the end of this course.

Participants are taught:

  • The finger-spelling alphabet
  • Numbers 0-20
  • Basic phrases
  • Everyday and university-specific vocabulary
  • Basic grammar
  • Deaf culture
  • Helpful NZSL tips

Every Thursday in Term 3 – August 22, 12:30pm-1:30pm BOOK NOW

Every Thursday in Term 4, July 15 – August 19, 5pm-6pm BOOK NOW

The total price for this 6-class course is $60 incl GST. 

NZSL Classes are taught by Julie Fraser, Sign Equity Ltd.

Equity and Diversity, Events and entertainment, Health and Wellbeing, The Community

Why Pink?

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Pink Shirt Day 2025 is Friday 16th May –  Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

This year we are inviting the whole UC tīma to join us in marking the occasion.

Bullying is an issue that occurs across the community, including in workplaces and classrooms. We are all responsible for addressing the bullying around us.

This Friday, wear pink, take a stand against bullying in our community, and show your commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for our ākonga, kaimahi, and communities to thrive.

Why Pink?

Pink Shirt Day originated in Canada in 2007 after two high school students (David Shepherd and Travis Price) witnessed a fellow student experience homophobic bullying for wearing a pink shirt. They responded by buying and distributing pink shirts to show solidarity with the bullied student. Their actions sparked a global response, and in 2012 Aotearoa’s Mental Health Foundation adopted Pink Shirt Day as an annual antibullying campaign.

Want to look into it further?

The Pink Shirt Day website has a range of awesome resources, including information on bullying, being an Upstander or applying things at mahi!

Check out UC Wellbeing’s Instagram to see the advice we are giving our ākonga this year, and check out what we have on next week 🙂

Equity and Diversity, Events and entertainment, Health and Wellbeing, Our Community, Wellbeing

WHAT’S HAPPENING – PINK SHIRT DAY

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Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora I Speak up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

Join us to speak up, stand together and stop bullying this Pink Shirt Day on Friday, 16 May!

We’re asking the UC community to help us turn the campus pink by participating in a range of events beginning Monday 12 May to Friday 16 May.

What is Pink Shirt Day?

Pink Shirt Day is more than just wearing pink. It’s a commitment to upholding our values of whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and aroha to create a kinder, more inclusive Aotearoa where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or cultural background.

How you can get involved at UC on Pink Shirt Day:

  • Wear pink to show your support and raise awareness about bullying.
  • Start conversations with your family, friends and colleagues about bullying and ways to create a more supportive and inclusive culture.
  • Take action and be an upstander if you see or hear bullying happening, using your words or actions to help the person being bullied.
  • Spread the word about Pink Shirt Day on your social media and personal networks, sharing stories about how bullying has affected you or someone you know, and tagging us @ucwellbeing on Instagram or emailing your photos to studentwellbeing@canterbury.ac.nz.

Events include:

  • May 12-16        Positivity Wall, Puaka James Hight Central Library & The Living Room
  • May 13               T-Shirt Making Workshop, Te Rua Makerspace 10am-12pm
  • May 15               Toastie Wednesday, The Living Room 12-2pm
  • May 16               Connect Zone, The Living Room 1-2.30pm
  • May 16               Core30 Pink Special! 12:05 – 12:35 pm – sign up                                         via the UC Rec&Sport App or with the UC                                                     Reception Team
  • May 16               Spin Pink Special! 12:05 – 12:50 pm – sign up via                                        the UC Rec&Sport App or with the UC Reception                                      Team
  • May 17               Photobooth & Giveaways, The Living Room 11-2pm

Keep an eye out for event details on our socials, digital screens around campus, and blogs!

Let’s work together to make Pink Shirt Day a powerful symbol of our collective commitment to creating a more positive and inclusive community.

For more information on what is available click here.

Follow the below for event updates:

If you would like to talk to someone about this topic or anything else contact the teams below: