We started school on Monday with a full school assembly to acknowledge that a tragedy happened and to outline how it has affected us and the people we know.

Kia ora koutou

After a series of home visits initiated by senior staff members over the weekend, there is now no doubt that members of our community have strong connections with the people in the two Mosques attacked on Friday 15th March.

Our thoughts, sympathy and prayers are with all those who have been affected by this tragic situation. 

All boys have been informed that our trauma response team has been activated and is available at need for any boy in need of support.  All Deans, Assistant Deans and Senior Leaders have prioritised their availability to students of the school and their families.  This team is co-ordinated and led by Mr Steve Shaw, our Guidance Counsellor.  If you need to talk to him directly please do so by contacting the school office and asking for him.  It goes without saying that I am personally available at need as well.

A room has been set aside for Muslim and non-Muslim students to gather and pray if they feel the need.  This room will be supervised by staff members.

Parents will need to be vigilant over the next few weeks as well, so the following thoughts and observations may be of use

Tips for parents and educators - Supporting children and young people:
Parents and teachers can help children and young people feel safe by;

• Providing reassurance and keeping to routines
• Staying calm and promoting a calm environment
• Doing enjoyable things together
• Taking time to listen and talk
• Be guided by their questions, be factual and age appropriate with your response. Children and young people do not always talk about their feelings readily – ask them if they are feeling worried.
• Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate, but all psychologists recommend that access to social media should be severely limited especially for the very young. In all cases active supervision by an adult is strongly recommended.
• Very young children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them.
• Older primary school aged children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school, emergency services and community leaders to provide safe schools.
• Secondary school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make communities safer and how to prevent violence and tragedies in society. Have a way of recording the ideas and how you might build on the ideas expressed.
• Emphasise the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. Signing out when they leave school, not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety, communicating any personal safety concerns to teachers and accessing support for emotional needs through teachers and the pastoral care system.
• Observe children’s emotional state. Changes in behaviour, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions, particularly those who have experienced difficulties and change. When faced with such a situation, seek support through the appropriate school pastoral care system or the family GP.

Finally over the next week or so, we will raise money for those directly affected by the tragedy, we will continue to make personal contact with members of our Muslim Community and The Head Students and I will make an appropriate gesture of support once the school determines what is most appropriate and required.

Ngā mihi nui

John Laurenson
Headmaster