5 years ago today...

Five years ago today a cohort of Waonui students were finally able to move from their temporary classroom space in the hall into their newly fully refurbished classrooms - as they are today. It was during the lunch break that something none of could every truely imagine would happen here in Aotearoa. We got a phone call from the police asking us to go into lockdown, no reason given only to go into lock down and wait for further instruction. So that is what we did - students were ushered into the nearest space and staff joined them locking doors. What unfolded in the following 6 hours is still really hard to believe. 

My role on that day was communications - posting facebook messages, using the school intercoms, sending texts and answering emails from staff in their spaces and parents waiting at home as news spread of a shooter/s at two mosques  - one just up the road from our kura. I also had to try to encourage the parents who had gathered in the park to go home and stay safe themselves.

We kept students happy, safe and fed, we sheltered them from harm and horror, knowing as media reports came in that the unbelievable had happened. The students in the hall got the freezer treats, the classes near the staffroom got a shout leftovers and the biscuit supply. I do recall one email from a parent telling us their child didn't like sausages and enquiring what they might be able to have for dinner instead. In grief and crisis people cope in different ways. 

One of the first schools to go into lockdown and one of the last to come out, we had been asked by police to begin to prepare to stay the night. But as the events came to an end on our very own street, we were told we could get everyone home.  

I can still remember the little wee 6 year old who ran to his anxious parents arms at around 6pm exclaiming he had had the best golden time ever. We had done our job.

Our job.

So today we remember this and the days that followed as stories of bravery, terror, loss, hurt, anger and fear filled our hearts and minds and as a kura we chose kindness, we wore hijab in solidarity, our mums walked scared muslim mums to school. we opened our spaces. We introduced Arabic classes. We sang. We asked questions. We stood together.

We stood together again today at our remembrance garden and laid flowers in by the plaque we unveiled last year. And we remembered. We remember and hope that kindness will always triumph over hate.

'Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides the peace train
Oh, peace train take this country
Come take me home againNow I've been smiling lately
Thinkin' about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun

Oh, peace train sounding louder

Glide on the peace train

In memory of the 51 shuhadah (martyrs) who lost their lives 15 March 2019.

Al salam Alaikum

Donna