Thousands of Gisborne children lined their school fields to form giant white ribbons in a unique stand against domestic violence yesterday.
Children from Wainui Beach School, Waikirikiri School, Kaiti School, Gisborne Intermediate and New Life Christian School with students from Gisborne Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, Campion College and alternative education providers Matapuna Training College, Turanga Ararau and Tautoko Work Trust formed human white ribbons at eight sites across Gisborne as part of White Ribbon Day yesterday.
The Lion Foundation Eastland Rescue Helicopter flew over each school field and reserve at around 1pm with The Gisborne Herald and Tairawhiti Men Against Violence (TMAV) onboard. The rescue trust donated its services for the White Ribbon cause.
Collaboration between the organisations and the schools was part of a community stance against violence against women and children, TMAV’s Tim Marshall said.
Waikirikiki School principal Yolanda Julies said it was important her 188 students took part in the event, because “our children come from that type of environment”.
“We are a bully-free school and we are really trying to enforce that. It’s a matter of respecting each other and respecting their parents, etc. It all ties in.”
Nearly all of the 500 students at Gisborne Intermediate took part in forming their giant ribbon, except for five students who were giving out white ribbons at Gisborne Hospital, principal Don Niven said.
