Alfie Smeele – RNZCT Scholarship. Bachelor of Arts – University of Otago

Alfie is a 17-year-old queer trans man with a passion for education & a mission to improve the lives of LGBTQI+ youth. Alfie attended Christchurch Girls’ High School & has been accepted to Otago Uni for the BA programme, double majoring in Education & Psychology.

Alfie was VERY active at school beginning 2019 as the organiser of School Strike 4 Climate & is Chair of the National Committee. Alfie was also the Environment Perfect at school & a member of 350 Aotearoa focused on getting fossil fuels out of our schools.

He’s a high profile campaigner against sexual abuse & worked with the school Principal to set up a support group for students who have experienced sexual harm. He also run the rainbow support group at school & supported several Boys schools in Christchurch to create similar groups at their schools. In addition, Alfie organised several PRIDE events last year incl a queer history seminar, rainbow movie night, rainbow quiz night, and a picnic for LGBTQI+ youth.

Alfie is committed to making meaningful change & organised InsideOUT to speak to teachers about supporting their rainbow students better. He also pushed for change in the gendered language used at Christchurch Girls and Christchurch Boys schools & submitted a proposal for the creation of a new position for a Rainbow Perfect which was accepted by the School’s senior leadership team. The Trust was extremely impressed with Alfie’s courage, drive & leadership. See Alfie’s personal video here.