Gisborne Boys’ High School embraces Pink Shirt Day to combat bullying

Gisborne Boys' High School students embrace the kaupapa on Pink Shirt Day.

Students at Gisborne Boys’ High School were among those in Tairāwhiti who got into the spirit of dressing in pink for Pink Shirt Day.

The aim of the day is to take a stand against bullying and promote diversity.

The Mental Health Foundation has run the day in href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/gisborne-herald/news/pink-shirt-day-in-gisborne-schools-and-council-unite-against-bullying/WPMAEVUSRRALBCVRGXUDDPZ2OY/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/gisborne-herald/news/pink-shirt-day-in-gisborne-schools-and-council-unite-against-bullying/WPMAEVUSRRALBCVRGXUDDPZ2OY/">Aotearoa since 2012.

“We are trying to get rid of bullying across the country and it starts with us as students communicating upfront – let’s be real with each other," head boy Maxwell Kennedy and prefect Henry Shanks said.

Students from Gisborne Boys' High School, like this trio - Louis Wylie (left), head boy Maxwell Kennedy and Hugo Emerre - dressed in pink for Pink Shirt Day.

“Whanaungatanga is about connection – building strong relationships," assistant principal Maria Jefferson said.

“It’s knowing the guy next to you is your brother, not just a classmate. You don’t tear your brother down. You lift him up.”

Gisborne Boys' High School staff members like Peter Ray, the deputy principal, dressed in pink for Pink Shirt Day.

Former Boys’ High student Kylee De Thier is now a Pink Shirt Day ambassador.