This morning we have held a special assembly, as it was our first opportunity to meet together as a school family since last Tuesday’s earthquake. We began with a minute’s silence to reflect and remember. This is the message I have shared with our school:

Since last Tuesday a lot has been going on for all of us. I have been incredibly proud of our students’ resilience, braveness and consideration over this week. Once we all found with great relief that members of our own families and colleagues in Christchurch were safe we realised how incredibly fortunate we were. Although we were lucky here in Geraldine, there are still many ways in which we are feeling shock, fear and uncertainty. Don’t be afraid to talk about this, there are people ready to listen – this is the best way to begin trying to understand what has happened. And please, be patient with those who are affected in different ways. You just don’t know what your friends, family and teachers may be dealing with, so keep on being the caring people you are. In the hall foyer we have placed a reflections book, where you are welcome to write a message of hope and love for the people of Christchurch. This can be another good way to express your feelings.

At Geraldine people quickly turned their energies to helping those in need. We have specialist medical and search and rescue personnel on our staff and in our community whose skills are needed now and in the future. Many of us have taken in ‘refugees’ and so life at home is looking a bit different right now, and this will be tiring and a bit stressful. Our town is full, and I know baking, blankets and accommodation has been needed right here as well as in Christchurch. It is good to be busy and to keep our eyes and ears open for ways we might help. Our Year 13s got organised right away and have planned a mufti day for this Friday. It’s a $2 donation if you are wearing mufti, and we’re also collecting non-perishable food on Friday as well. Please get in behind this fund raiser, and thanks to the Year 13s who got it up and running.

The other thing that is happening is that as a school we are requested to take in students from Christchurch schools, and we have a large number who will be starting today. These students are mostly boarders from our area, so have come home in the meantime. Others are here with family and friends as they have lost their homes and their schools are closed. We are welcoming these students with open arms, and have set up timetables and orientation programmes for them – we have even supplied uniforms. Remember, it might seem like a bit of fun to have your school closed for 2 weeks, but they first had to experience the earthquake right there in Christchurch, and then consider the interruption to their learning for the year. We are all going to do our best to welcome and accommodate these students in our classes. Please think about how you might help by lending notes, a work book, or filling them in on where you’re at. Many schools are not due to reopen for another 2 weeks.

As always, our families are welcome to reach out to us if we can be of any assistance at all. If you are aware of changing circumstances that might affect your child, please communicate with the school as soon as possible.