Next Friday 16 May, our school community will be proudly taking part in Pink Shirt Day—a powerful national movement that stands for kindness, inclusion, and the message that no one deserves to be bullied. Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you play a vital role in reinforcing this message at home.

“Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying.”

What does this mean?

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu – Speak Up

Encourage your tamariki to speak up when they see or experience bullying. This could mean talking to a trusted adult, a teacher, a parent, or a friend. It’s not always easy, but help your child understand that their voice matters and there are people who will listen and support them. If one person can’t help, keep asking. Pink Shirt Day reminds us all that no one is alone.

Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Stand Together

Positive change happens when we come together. Bullying is less likely to thrive in communities where kindness, respect, and inclusion are the norm. By standing together—as parents, students, teachers, and whānau – we send a clear message: Bullying has no place in Aotearoa.

At school, we have been taking part in activities focused on building positive relationships, developing assertiveness skills, and learning how to respond to and prevent bullying. Students are also learning about the importance of empathy and the power of small acts of kindness.

How you can support at home

Please continue these conversations with your child. Talk about what kindness looks like. Encourage them to compliment others, help someone who’s struggling, or speak out if they witness bullying. Let them know that being kind and inclusive makes a real difference—not just on Pink Shirt Day, but every day.

Remind your child that they have the power to create a more inclusive, respectful community, one action at a time.

Pink Shirt Day: A movement of hope

What started as a small act of solidarity in a Canadian school has grown into a global movement. Whether it's by wearing pink, supporting anti-bullying campaigns, or simply choosing kind words, every action helps create a ripple of positive change.

Let’s turn Aotearoa into a sea of pink this Friday and stand united to stop bullying.

Speak Up. Stand Together. Stop Bullying.