Karamū High Champions Kindness With Pink Shirt Day

Colour, music and kindness were on full display at Karamū High School as students marked Pink Shirt Day with a celebration that reinforced the school’s commitment to standing up to bullying.

Held last Friday (May 9), a week ahead of the national date, the event featured a pink-themed free dress day, a popular bake sale, music in the school courtyard, and library displays focused on anti-bullying. It was organised by Year 13 Community Leaders Kylah-Jay Garrett-Naera (Ngāti Kahungunu), Bella Bridson and Taylor Bevan.

This year, Pink Shirt Day in Aotearoa carries the theme “Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Stand Together”, a reminder that stopping bullying requires collective action and a shared commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing.

“Pink Shirt Day is definitely a fundraising day that is important to Karamū,” Kylah-Jay said. “We’re here to raise awareness and let people know we’re there for them.”

Students contributed a wide range of treats for the bake sale, including cupcakes, rice krispie slices, cookies, lolly bags and crocheted flowers. Music played during lunch, and the library offered colouring pages and themed reading displays.

“A lot of what we do embraces whanaungatanga. Our school really supports those welcoming values,” Taylor Bevan said. He added that the bake sale was a great example, combining fundraising with something enjoyable for students.

Bella, who wore the official Pink Shirt Day T-shirt, said the campaign’s message resonated with her. “It’s about committing to kindness and creating a better Aotearoa. I really like that.”

For Kylah-Jay, the message of inclusion goes hand in hand with the diversity of the school community. “We’re a very diverse school, so it’s important that everyone feels included. No one’s the same, and making sure people feel heard and understood really matters.”

Staff also played a key role behind the scenes, supporting the student organisers and helping the day run smoothly. “They’ve been helping us, making sure we have everything we need,” Kylah-Jay said.

Principal Dionne Thomas said the community leaders have once again led the school in such a positive way.

“They built on the success of Relay for Life by demonstrating manaakitanga and used Pink Shirt Day as a powerful movement to spread aroha and kindness. May these values continue to guide and empower their actions in the future.”

The official Pink Shirt Day will be held nationwide tomorrow (Friday, May 16).

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