Bay students decorate buddies to tackle child abuse

Mount Maunganui Intermediate School students will don their creative hats in support of New Zealand's annual child abuse prevention awareness day next month.

The awareness day known as Buddy Day gets Bay of Plenty adults talking about child abuse prevention.

Buddy Day revolves around life-size cardboard 'buddies' that are adopted by adults, taken into communities and workplaces, and used as a tool to generate conversations about the wellbeing of our children - and that it's up to all of us to keep kids safe.

All 550 Mount Maunganui Intermediate School students will join kids from across Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga and Wellington this term to decorate buddies in preparation for adults to 'care' for them on Buddy Day.

Mount Maunganui Intermediate School senior teacher Mary Woods said the school, which was also involved in Buddy creation last year, was privileged to be a part of the lead-up to the event.

"Last year four of our classrooms decorated Buddies and the student reaction was awesome. They went home and shared their learning with parents and caregivers about what makes them unique, and their basic need for protection.

"This year we are excited to get all 18 classrooms, plus our teachers and parents on board. During the school holidays students collected materials to decorate their buddies upon return.

"Our participation in Buddy Day is a way of taking ownership for what is a significant issue in New Zealand," she said.

Chief executive of national child advocacy organisation Child Matters, Anthea Simcock, said every adult could take proactive steps to keep children safe.