Seeing pink to make a stand against bullying

Adrienne Whiteley of Papamoa College runs the Big Brother's Club at the school. Photos/Andrew Warner

Papamoa College went pink yesterday when it marked Pink Shirt Day a day early.

About 60 per cent of the school donned pink clothing. They also had music, a dance crew, a pink themed photo booth and a sausage sizzle at lunchtime to make a stand against bullying.

View what Tauranga teens think about bullying below

Adrienne Whiteley, 17, who runs the school's Big Brother's Club which supports younger students, said although she had not dealt with bullying specifically in her role, other members had. Adrienne's siblings had been bullied, so she knew what an important issue it was.

Adrienne said the day had gone well, with a large number of students involved. They had an assembly the day before to outline the reasons behind Pink Shirt Day.

Adrienne said the event was part of a promotion for the Big Brother's Club, to outline what they do and raise awareness.

Papamoa College acting principal Catherine Neidhardt said it showed a very caring school community. "I'm incredibly proud of our students," she said.

Pink Shirt Day is celebrated every year on May 20. It started in Cananda in 2007 when students took a stand against homophobic bullying, after a student was bullied for wearinga pink shirt.

Why do you think bullying is an important issue and what can be done to stop it?

''It affects people in many different ways, physically and emotionally. It affects their ability to grow in life.'' Rakshya Karmacharya, 16.

''Because it doesn't make people feel great and it's become so normal. I want to get rid of that normalness.'' Izzy Whyte, 15

''It affects a student's studies and their daily life. Everyone is the same, why disgrace their gender or what they believe?'' Gurnek Singh, 15

''It've found bullying is at every school. I think everyone has been bullied once and that should change.'' Kathryn Paxton, 16

''It's human nature for people to stay on top of others. But I like that the students can talk to us about it.'' Daria Atkins, 16

For more information go to: www.pinkshirtday.org.nz.