Mahora School

HB Today Article

March 7, 2011

School children bow in silence at Mahora School in Hastings. Mahora Primary School is over 100 years old and it lost a child in the 1931 Napier earthquake. Photo / Janene Maloney

Children and staff at Mahora Primary School, in Hastings, joined the rest of New Zealand yesterday and observed 2-minutes’ silence to mark a week since Christchurch was devastated by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake.

Children left their lunchboxes in the eating areas and assembled under the school’s flagpole, where the New Zealand flag has been flying at half-mast since last week.

The senior children led the way and formed one large circle while the younger children of the school created an inner circle in front of their older schoolmates. This symbolised the older children looking out for the younger ones.  Children and staff sat in silence with their heads bowed, thinking about the children and people in Christchurch, and the families who have lost someone close to them.  Following the 2-minutes’ silence the children all stood and sang the New Zealand National Anthem.

Staff at Mahora Primary School have been helping children come to terms with what they have been seeing in the media and answering the many questions that they bring to school.  Acting Principal, Mrs Frances Flynn, says it’s important for staff to reassure the children and watch for signs of trauma.

They are seeing and hearing a lot of sad news and we need to keep a closer eye on them and help manage their concerns.  It is also important to ensure they know what to do in an earthquake emergency by regularly practising earthquake drills.

Mahora Primary School is over 100 years old and while it sustained some damage during the 1931 Hawke’s Bay Earthquake, the school was rebuilt.  Records show that a child at the school during this time lost their life in the earthquake.

Staff at Mahora Primary School are currently planning a fundraising day for the people of Christchurch, scheduled for later in March.

Published in the Hawkes Bay today on the 2nd of March 2011.  [Link]

This post is filed in: General