Mia is a big sister!

Since the earthquake, Mia (and big brother Pierre) has become a big sister to wee baby Ella. Mia's mum assures me that Mia is enjoying being a big sis, and is very good with the new baby.

A big congratulations to the Rockhouse family from everyone at Wairakei School!

Day Seven

Wairakei School is still closed. At this stage we have been told that school is closed until (and on) Friday 4 March. We will not know until later this week, when school officially starts back again.

I hope all of our Wairakei families are coping okay, and managing to do something useful with their time. Some of you may be helping with the clean up, baking, looking after other children, boiling water for other families etc. Here is a photo of a friends 2 year old daughter, who is helping her daddy clean up the liquefaction their own own backyard. She also got a wee lesson on what causes liquefaction (using the sandpit).

I do not encourage hiding details of the earthquake from our children. Children are very resilient, and actions/talking can only be beneficial for our children. I cannot stress this enough.

It has been fantasitc to receive emails from some of the Room 10 families. Some families have moved away temporarily and enrolled their children in schools around the country. Some families are getting comfort by staying with friends/family, or supporting others by having people stay with them. Some families are coping by stay where they are and doing things, such as, baking/cooking for others, digging liquefaction, or keeping the elderly or lonely neighbours company.

One of the amazing things that has stood out since last Tuesday, is the overwhelming capacity of love and caring we have for others, and how people all over the country (and world) have offered their help. We just need to look at the student army, fonterra, contact energy etc...amazing!

Kia kaha!

Robert :)

Lucky Robert has returned to some normality in the last few days since the earthquake. He, his siblings and Mum have gone to stay in Timaru with family. Roberts auntie works at Waimataitai School in Timaru, so Robert has been going to school. He even has a uniform!

Good on you, Robert! I am looking forward to hearing all about your temporary enrolment at Waimataitai School.

Rosie's earthquake story

http://whenmyhomeshook.co.nz/category/wairakei-school/

Above is a link to Rosie's story.

Sorry about the photo Rosie. It was the only one I could find at this stage. Love the garden chair that you made at Discovery Time though!

Happy Birthday Sophie!

Yesterday it was Sophie's 6th birthday. I wish we were at school to sing 'happy birthday' to you Sophie. Perhaps we can have a special birthday treat when school starts back (it is Miss O'Neill's birthday on Monday).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE! I hope the earthquake didn't stop you from having a little fun yesterday. :)

Day Five

I hope all of the Room 10 families (and those from other classrooms) are okay and safe.

Children will be feeling nervous, anxious and scared, especially with the aftershocks we are getting. Parents need to remember to stay calm, as children often model their own reactions from the people around them.

One healthy way to help children to heal (and for adults to heal too) is to talk about what has happened and talk about our feelings. Face to face talk is brilliant, but if you would like to share your story, you could try www.whenmyhomeshook.co.nz/ which is a website especially for children to share their earthquake stories.

Look after yourselves and kia kaha!

Christchurch Earthquake 22 February 2011

This is exactly what the children from Room 10 were yesterday during the big earthquakes. They were SUPERKIDS! The first earthquake occured during the lunchbreak, while they were all outside playing. As soon as these superkids felt the earthquake they went straight to the field area (like we have practised). I was inside the classroom (which was really scary!) and immediately went out to the field, where I found my classroom all congregated together. They were amazing!

It was a little chilly, so we snuggled in close together to keep warm until parents came to fetch their children.

I hope all children and families are safe. School is closed for the rest of the week (at least). Keep watching the news or listening to the radio to hear when school will start back.

I'm thinking of you all, and hope you are staying safe.

Hugs from Miss O'Neill

Otakaro Discovery Time

Discovery Time
Last Friday we had our first Otakaro Discovery Time. During this time, all of the classrooms in Otakaro have various activities which the children can choose to participate in. Activities ranged from drawing, computers, sandpit, soccer, construction and water play. i would have to say that most popular was the pancake making! Thank you to Mr Lee, who came in and cooked pancakes with the children. He even brought chocolate sauce and berries!! Yum Yum!

If you click on the "Discovery Time" heading above, you will see our video.

Today Phoebe volunteered to read one of her reading books to the class - great reading, Phoebe!

Happy Valentines Day!

What a sweetheart! Cody spent the weekend making special cupcakes with his Mum. Today he came into class with 29 little cupcakes, all iced with pink icing and decorated with a heart shaped lolly. Yum! Yum! Thank you, Cody.
Cody with his gorgeous cupcakes.

Warren, Amelia and Cody enjoying their special morning tea treat.

More news...last week Miss O'Neill brought her fish tank to school. It is a big fish tank, with 7 fish and 6 water snails.
They are really interesting to watch!

First Post for 2011

Today was our first day at Wairakei School. I think most of the children were pleased to be back, and they did seem to enjoy their day.

Here are the gorgeous Room 10!