Tēnā koutou parents, caregivers and whānau

As you will imagine, it has been a very difficult week with the loss of our Year 13 student and whānau leader, Kate Gutry. Foremost in our minds are Kate’s mother Jane, father Robert, sisters Emma and Pippa, and extended whānau. We have much to remember about Kate – her leadership, mana and lovely nature, and her talents, especially in equestrian and kapa haka. So let us remember all her beauty and potential, and honour that in our living.

I want to thank our senior leadership team, staff and students for the way in which they have all worked together and cared for each other in response to the very sad news. We have received a huge number of emails, messages of support and flowers from schools around the city which has been lovely for all of us and much appreciated. Not to mention the baking brought in to support us by parents and the PTA. The routine and normality of school has been good in the last few days for our students as they grieve. If any students need further support or have other issues triggered by this week’s events, please encourage them to connect with their year level deans or our counsellors. There are good support systems here for them.

Today our students have also reflected on the 10-year earthquake anniversary on Monday. In ako time they have written hopes and dreams for the city on paper road cones which will be strung around the school. Students are encouraged to bring flowers on Monday to place out by our front billboard and we will have a minute’s silence at 12.51pm. This will be a sad and celebratory day for the city – sad as we remember those whom we lost, and celebratory when we look at the rebuild of Christchurch. Although there are still projects to be completed, we can see how the city is shaping up, more intimate and inviting, more alive and diverse, facing and embracing the river, and imbued with Ngāi Tahu imagery and design, reflecting our bi-cultural partnership.

Christchurch has suffered much over the last decade through earthquakes, Mosque massacre and now pandemic. We have become a resilient people and the best of us is brought out in tragic and challenging events. We are used to pivoting, collaborating, improvising, creating and enduring through heartache and change. It has made us both stronger people and more vulnerable people. Images of the immediate aftermath of the February 22 earthquake touch raw nerves and emotions just below the surface. Anyone who works in a public facing industry will know that mental health is an issue across our city. It is unclear how the impact has landed on our young people, who would have been three to seven years old at the time. What are their thoughts as they look at their city – do they see a vibrant place for them in their twenties and thirties? How much has the 2011 trauma contributed to high levels of anxiety that we see presenting? It will be interesting to see what they have written on their road cones in ako time.

What we do know is that we are strong when we come together. That is what we have seen this week both within the school and from outside the school. That is also what we will see across the city on Monday.

Kia kaha Christchurch.

Ngā mihi nui

Christine O’Neill