Te Karaka Area school takes stand against bullying

Pictured at the cake stall are, from left, Sarah Morice, Kyro Reeves, DJ Albert, Isla Pepere, Lalita King and Sally Kale. At right is Sol Blake, with students Mihiata Papuni, Karitiana Smith and Hozana Papuni. Picture by Liam Clayton

Te Karaka Area School made a stand against bullying yesterday by donning pink and baking up a storm.

Students and staff wore pink to show they were against bullying in all its forms.

Pink Shirt Day is a global day that celebrates diversity and creates environments where all people can feel safe, valued and respected.

Each year, workplaces, schools, organisations and individuals make a stand against bullying. Our schools have the second-highest rate of bullying out of 51 countries, and one in five workers are affected by bullying.

People who identify as part of the rainbow community experience higher rates of bullying, and studies show people who are bullied are more likely to experience mental health issues.

Office administrator Sally Kale baked a five-tier red velvet cake iced in pink as a raffle prize. There was a variety of home baking on sale to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation.