One of the projects from last term’s Tuku Aroha well-being module has come to fruition, and we have been able to give three quilts and a table runner to some of the Hagley families impacted by March 15.

Tuku aroha means to release love as a gift. The initial idea came from hearing how much the gift of a hand-knitted blanket meant, that one of our teachers Jo Guthrie had given to a student and family following the shootings. Students from Van Asch, and staff members from Van Asch, Science, Maths, Performing Arts, Technology, Enrolments, and Marketing – as well as my mum, Helen Packer – have been involved in the screen printing, painting, sewing and quilting. Many thanks to all those who contributed, especially to Helen and to Catherine Taylor for their generosity.