Bay News: Youngsters a force for good

Storm trooper and ARC Troopers Craig Haskell, Stu Brown and Pera Tuapawa with (from left) Winslet Donovan-Grammer (11), Emma Averill (10), Marc Spanswick (8) and Siddhartha Gurung (11).

A force for good was an extra dimension at Matua School's fortnightly assembly last Friday.

Part-way through the assembly, the familiar notes of the Star Wars theme began, to announce the arrival of a storm trooper and two ARC troopers from the 501st Legion.

While not generally known for their philanthropy, the trio brought with them good news and recognition for four pupils who had contributed to an anti-bullying campaign being run through the Bay News and Bay of Plenty Times.

If you can't see the guide clearly in your browser, head here.

Pupils across Tauranga's primary schools had been invited to Create an Ad with some of the best appearing in the Bay News two weeks ago. Others will appear in a special Bay of Plenty Times anti-bullying publication called Know the Signs being distributed to participating schools from today.

An ad designed by Matua School pupil Marc Spanswick for Avonmore Tertiary Institute, was among those published a fortnight ago.

Avonmore staff were so impressed with Marc's efforts they decided he deserved a special presentation and invited members of the 501st Legion along to do the honours.

The 501st Legion is a worldwide costuming organisation with its members known as bad guys doing good.

While there, they also presented three other students with awards for their highly commended efforts advertising Tauranga Historic Village.

Avonmore's operations administrator Karen Rodger believes Marc's ad was worthy of inclusion in the campaign. "We wanted to recognise Marc for his creativity and how he managed to capture what our business is about through the eyes of a child.

"We fully support the anti-bullying campaign and the way it is bringing schools and businesses together."

Winslet Donovan-Grammer, Emma Averill and Siddhartha Gurung were the other three pupils whose designs were recognised.