Published on: 22 April 2021



The last week of Term 1 was World Autism Awareness Week and the boys were out and about all week promoting, fundraising and increasing awareness.

During their Health and Wellbeing classes, the boys in the Preparatory School learned about what it means to be a friend to someone with Autism. They also learned about how difficult certain situations are for boys with Autism – even though everything might appear to be alright on the outside. On the Wednesday the boys participated in “Autism Aware Blue Tie Day” during which they wore a blue tie to school to open discussions about Autism.

The boys in the Senior School PMC – with support from the Jupp Prefects – hosted a whole school BBQ on the last Wednesday of Term 1 to raise funds for Spectrum Space. The following day, staff and students in the Senior school wore their favourite pair of blue socks to raise awareness for Autism.

Co-ordinator of the Peter Moyes Centre in the Preparatory School Daniela Chacon spoke about the incredible efforts demonstrated by the School in supporting this initiative “At Christ Church we celebrate and embrace neurodiversity; therefore, we think it important to raise Autism awareness within our community and beyond. Raising awareness increases enthusiasm and support, stimulates action and mobilises local knowledge, acceptance and inclusion. In the words of Harvey Blume ‘Neurodiversity may be every bit as crucial for human race as biodiversity is for life in general. Who can say what form of wiring will be best at any moment?’”