After the tragic events that happened in Christchurch on Friday 15 March, I thought Columba College, as a school community, should do everything we could to try to help.

Over the week, students were able to go to the hall to write supportive messages and prayers on paper doves and hearts. Junior School pupils did this in their classes. The paper doves and hearts were then stuck around the stage of the hall and later taken to Al Huda Mosque (Dunedin). 

With the help of Sara Hashemi Oskoei, we sold over 500 black ribbons to students and staff who wanted to show their support for the victims of the attacks. This raised just over $1000 for the Muslim community, which is phenomenal.

I heard about the Paper Chains of Love movement from the Head Girl of St Margaret’s College in Christchurch and though that it would be a great project for Columba to be involved in. Every girl at the school wrote a message of hope and support on a slip of coloured paper, which we then stapled together to make a very long paper chain; symbolising the sense of standing together through this time.

On Friday 22 March, a week after the tragedy, a group of Year 13 students went to Al Huda Mosque, along with Ms Riethmaier, to pay our respects to the people who lost loved ones. We also delivered the paper dove and hearts, paper chains, and some flowers.

This has been one of the most difficult times for New Zealand and the support shown from the community really made a big impact on people. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this cause - the support from Columba has been incredible.