Image copyright Paula Sparkes Image caption Nadia Sparkes had a "brilliant" first day at Reepham High after being bullied at her previous school
A 13-year-old nicknamed "Trash Girl" by bullies for picking litter has changed schools after pupils assaulted her.
Nadia Sparkes won international praise and awards for gathering litter on her journey to and from school, and refused to let the taunts deter her.
Police got involved last term when she was shown a knife and punched at school, her mother said.
Her old school, Hellesdon High School near Norwich, said pupils' safety and welfare was of paramount importance.
Since 2017, Nadia has set off for school an hour early each day to pick up litter and put it in her bicycle basket.
She turned the "Trash Girl" slur on its head and embraced the nickname because it made her feel "like a superhero" - attracting more than 4,000 followers on social media.
Image copyright Paula Sparkes Image caption Nadia Sparkes said the "Trash Girl" nickname made her feel "like a superhero"
But Paula Sparkes said her daughter was not championed at her school.
"The staff were not on her side to help and support her and we felt it was not appropriate for her to be there any more," she said.
She said police became involved last term when Nadia was allegedly shown a knife and shortly afterwards chased and punched by a pupil.
Norfolk Police confirmed it was called to an incident at the school and had referred a teenager to the Youth Offending Team, which was providing support.
"Officers also provided extra knife crime prevention presentations to all years groups," a spokeswoman added.
Image copyright Creative Nation Image caption Nadia was depicted as a superhero in a cartoon by Creative Nation in January last year
In a separate incident, Nadia had to sit through a class covered in orange juice that had been thrown in her face, her mother said.
"Nadia picked up a [volunteering] award from the prime minister earlier this month - it's a shame when you think what the school could have achieved with this, and they haven't."
She met one of her new teachers, Reepham High School's Matt Willer, when the pair were both nominated for an eco hero award.
Mr Willer, who runs an allotment project, said: "I'd heard of the amazing work she was doing collecting rubbish and how, very sadly, she was being bullied because she was doing something different.
"This hit a nerve with me and we discussed how Nadia might like to come and have a look at Reepham High."
Image copyright Paula Sparkes Image caption Nadia (far left) hopes to start a regular community litter-pick
Nadia had a "brilliant" start at Reepham after the Easter break and proudly wore her uniform made from recycled plastic bottles.
"She is literally wearing litter, it's like it's meant to be," said Mrs Sparkes.
Nadia's new school is about 11 miles from her home but she hopes to continue litter-picking en route to the bus stop.
Mr Willer said the teenager would be a "huge asset" to the allotment project.
"All the volunteers look forward to working with her as we all set a sound example about respecting the environment and living more sustainably."
Image copyright RHS/Jason Bye Image caption Matt Willer, pictured at the school allotment, said Nadia would be a huge asset to Reepham High
Hellesdon principal Tom Rolfe said the school did not tolerate bullying and would not actively discourage a pupil from pursuing their passion.
"We promote an ethos that reflects high moral standards, a culture of social responsibility and fosters a safe learning environment for all students," he added.
"All students are respected and their individuality is valued."
JimTheJerseyGuy on May 4th, 2019 at 12:23 UTC »
Everyone and their cousin is posting #trashtag photos with literal tons of litter being picked up and this girl is getting bullied for it? SMH.
Night-Sea-Air on May 4th, 2019 at 11:43 UTC »
The stupid thing about this is that it's people like her who make the world a cleaner, safer, nicer place, and the people who victimised her are presumably the kind who choke the world with their refuse.
If I was the type to make childish insults, it would make more sense to call them 'Trash People'.
Kudos to her for flipping the script on the 'Trash Girl' epithet. She's obviously got a strength of character that will serve her well.
EnoughPM2020 on May 4th, 2019 at 10:50 UTC »
What Happened?
Nadia Sparkes, The 13 years old girl who won international praise and awards for gathering litter on her journey to and from school and refused to let the taunts deter her, moved to another school due to bullying and the lack of support from staff at her previous school. Her old school, Hellesdon High School near Norwich, said students’ safety and welfare was of paramount importance.
Since 2017, Nadia has set off for school an hour early each day to pick up litter and put it in her bicycle basket. She turned the "Trash Girl" slur on its head and embraced the nickname because it made her feel "like a superhero" - attracting more than 4,000 followers on social media. Other corners of the internet also took notice of her activism: case in point, this post from r/UpliftingNews
Part 1: The bullying incidents
Her mother, Paula Sparkes said: "The staff (at her old school) were not on her side to help and support her and we felt it was not appropriate for her to be there any more.”
Police became involved last term when Nadia was allegedly shown a knife and shortly afterwards chased and punched by a pupil. Norfolk Police confirmed it was called to an incident at the school and had referred a teenager to the Youth Offending Team, which was providing support. "Officers also provided extra knife crime prevention presentations to all years groups," a spokeswoman added.
In a separate incident, Nadia had to sit through a class covered in orange juice that had been thrown in her face. "Nadia picked up a [volunteering] award from the prime minister earlier this month - it's a shame when you think what the school could have achieved with this, and they haven't."
Part 2: Transition to a new school
She met Reepham High School's teacher Matt Willer when the pair were both nominated for an eco hero award. Mr Willer, who runs an allotment project, said: "I'd heard of the amazing work she was doing collecting rubbish and how, very sadly, she was being bullied because she was doing something different. This hit a nerve with me and we discussed how Nadia might like to come and have a look at Reepham High."
Nadia had a "brilliant" start at Reepham after the Easter break and proudly wore her uniform made from recycled plastic bottles. Her mother said: "She is literally wearing litter, it's like it's meant to be.” Nadia's new school is about 11 miles from her home but she hopes to continue litter-picking en route to the bus stop.
Mr Willer said the teenager would be a "huge asset" to the allotment project. "All the volunteers look forward to working with her as we all set a sound example about respecting the environment and living more sustainably."
Part 3: Statement from her old school
Hellesdon principal Tom Rolfe said the school did not tolerate bullying and would not actively discourage a pupil from pursuing their passion. "We promote an ethos that reflects high moral standards, a culture of social responsibility and fosters a safe learning environment for all students. All students are respected and their individuality is valued." He stated.