We created ‘safety hands’ and wore a splash of blue for men’s health on Friday 19 June 2026, the final day of an event-filled week.
As part of our ‘Action Respect’ program, Canning Vale College embraced Men’s Health Week last week, with daily events to inform and connect students, teachers and parents.
Monday kicked off with a sports-filled session called “Burgers, Banter and Balls” for year 12 boys and male teachers.
Presentations from staff, and external professionals from Wizard Pharmacy, Anglicare and the City of Gosnells provided information on physical and mental health, road trauma, skin and testicular cancer, blood pressure, and lifestyle factors.
Staff teamed up for a pickleball evening on Monday, the following day enjoyed a barbecue cooked by some of the school’s male teachers, and on Thursday, three teachers attended the Men’s Health Breakfast symposium to hear from a range of health professionals.
Parents were engaged with the opportunity to provide feedback during parent-teacher day; and representatives from The Fathering Project were on-site to talk.
“Wear it Blue Day”, the final activity on the roster, saw students from all years come together in a sea of blue, encouraged to wear blue accessories, such as ribbons, socks, scarves, badges and hair accessories alongside their usual school uniform.
The events were organised by Year 10-12 Coordinator Andrew Gray, who was pleased to see the school embrace the idea and stand together for the men in their lives.
“We wanted to encourage our students to think of and support everyone in their lives – themselves for the boys, but also their brothers, dads, and uncles,” Mr Gray said.
“I was proud to see students and staff come to school in blue and really take in and engage with the information presented to them.
“A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the events, those who presented and to our grillmasters on the barbecues.
“This is all part of our ‘Action Respect’ program, which we want to build on in September during Women’s Health Week, and further again next year.”
The ‘Respect’ program is about managing respectful behaviour and relationships within the school community, in conjunction with the Department of Education.
