Many of us were at a loss to know what or how to express ourselves after the shocking and shattering events of Friday  March 15th, when 50 of Christchurch's citizens lost their lives.

At school students were able to contribute in various ways - at House assemblies, putting their name and message on chains of support and on Friday 22nd, the whole school gathered together to reflect and mark the national 2 minute silence.

Our 1700 students, 140 staff, were joined by students from the North Canterbury Community College and children from the Nursery School - who brought smiles to our faces at a time when many had heavy hearts. We also welcomed parents, whanau and others including representatives from the Waimakariri District Council and Rangiora Police.

After readings from our Head Students, Lachie Macfarlane and Bex Hughes and the Ms Stewart and Tegen Bishop (Deputy Head Girl) also addressed the assembled crowd. Lachie James (Deputy Head Boy) sang Welcome Home, the words of which were particularly appropriate on this occasion. The kapa haka group lead the school singing He Honore and students and staff also joined them in the school haka.

It was the plaintive sound of the Call to Prayer, which was played at similar assemblies all over New Zealand that was especially moving. This was not to ask us to pray, but to ask us to listen to that same sound that the 50 Muslim men, women and children heard on that fateful day as they came to their mosques to do what they do every Friday. 

I have no doubt that students will remember this 'assembly' and reflect on it in days, weeks to come as we ask ourselves - how can I live my life to ensure hatred and racism has no place in our school, and community?

Below is the speech made by our Deputy Head Girl Tegen Bishop.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Nga mihi nui ki a koutou katoa. For Aotearoa, it has been a week filled with sadness, loss and mourning - however, as displayed by the bright colours in which we are wearing today and by the flowers, notes and messages left in the court of memories - it has also been a week of support, love and unity. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, our united grief has brought us together as a nation.This is a time of reflection, however, it is also a time to challenge and pave a new road going forwards. The acts of terrorism inflicted upon the Muslim Community in New Zealand, and specifically on the Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Masjid, do not define who we are as a people. Nevertheless, we need to realise that the underlying theme of ‘white supremacy’ related to these violent acts, is relevant within Aotearoa. The question is, how can we stop racism within Aotearoa and particularly within our community. As the voices of a new generation we need to put our foot down and say NO to any form of racism big or small. It only took one hideous human being to spread a message of racism, hate and violence across the world. Think of the impact that 1700 of us would have spreading a message of respect, unity and aroha. Making a big change starts with us and our actions at school. We need to make a conscious effort to stop racist and derogatory name calling, racist jokes and racial slurs. I was reading an interesting article written by Saziah Bashir, a NZ woman from Bangladeshi descent. In the article Saziah writes ‘Firstly, we must reject the notion that "this is not us", because it is. White supremacy has always been a part of New Zealand. White supremacy formed the basis of colonial conquest.’ In other words, Saziah is saying that white supremacy and racism have existed in New Zealand since the colonisation by Europeans in the 1800’s. Saziah ends the article with ‘This is us, and we can do better.’In terms of the act of terrorism which occurred last week, we can spread our message of love by donating to the official give-a-little and Launch-Goodpages, by participating in peaceful marches, and by remembering those who lost their lives. Moving forward, we need to make a change as a nation by addressing the issues surrounding racism, by challenging derogatory ideals and by increasing the diversity of representation within Aotearoa. Additionally as individuals we can be more aware by learning the history of our country and about other cultures within Aotearoa, by being curious and accepting of difference and by stopping hate speech.
Again, these changes start with us and our actions at school, in our community and on the world of social media. I will leave you with this message:
Tuhia ki te rangi Tuhia ki te whenua Tuhia ki te nga kauko te mea nuiko te aroha Tihei Mauri Ora
Write it in the sky write it in the land write it in the heart of the people the greatest thing is love behold there is life
Nga Mihi Nui, Thank you.

Also Sarah Calley and Lily Heidmann initiated the Chain of Support. The red ribbon chain was 18 metres long and each link was written on a by a student at RHS. The Chain of Support was placed at the memorial outside the botanical gardens.