March 11 signified the 10 year anniversary of the Japanese tsunami that devastated the northern part of Japan and changed lives irrevocably. To remember this we had the Japanese flag fly at half mast for the day.  The International students, along with students in the International Council and some staff met at the flagpole at 1.30pm.  The Head of International Council, Mae Orczy, read a short speech which was followed by a minutes silence to commemorate the thousands who lost their lives and those still affected by it.  

Mae Orczy read the following:

"Japan’s tsunami 10-year anniversary March 11, 2021
Little more than two weeks after the earthquake hit Christchurch on February 22, 2011 a magnitude 9 struck in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Japan’s Tohuku region; north of Tokyo.
The earthquake, on March 11, triggered a devastating tsunami up to 38 metres high, killing over 15,000 people and leaving more than 2500 missing, presumed dead.
New Zealand, and Christchurch, have a close association with Japan. We have had many Japanese students studying at Avonside Girls' and Shirley Boys' and we have many today. It is important for us to take time to acknowledge the loss that Japan has and continues to have.
To commemorate the tragedy, we will have a minute silence to remember those affected."