Week 9, Term 1

I acknowledge the tragic events in Christchurch on Friday 15 March. As a city, it is important that we pay our respects and honour those we have lost. It is also important for us to continue with love and support as a school community.

At this time, I reflected on our core Rangi values of

Respect
Aroha
eNdeavour & eNthusiasm
Generosity of Spirit
Integrity

Our whole community has shown how real those values are for them by their actions and words over this last week. I am immensely proud of our students and staff and how they have shown calmness, strength, love and care in the days following this event by supporting not only the Muslim community here locally but others in our school community who have been directly affected.

We began our week in our Chapel as a school family and this gave us an opportunity to reflect and gain strength as well as acknowledge the tragedy. You may have noticed our Peace Ribbons tied on our Merivale Lane fence. These were organised by our senior students. We have also placed a Remembrance Book in the Gibson Centre. You are most welcome to come and sign this. Today during our Open Day we honoured our Muslim community by observing a 2-minute silence.

The wellbeing of our staff, students and families is of the utmost importance and we hope that you have found the comfort and support that your family has needed. Our two school Psychologists are here to help in any way they can during this sad and challenging time.

My thoughts are with you all as we face this dark period in our beautiful country’s history.

“Every act of love is a work of peace no matter how small.”
Mother Teresa