Hero photograph
 
Photo by Leoni Combrink

Remembering 22 February 2011

Mike Fowler —

On 22 February, it was a decade since the major earthquake struck Christchurch. It was a day when everyone can place where they were at 12.51 in the afternoon. Staff and students marked 22 February with a short commemoration to acknowledge that everyone in our school community was touched by this tragic event.

Our opening karakia at the commemoration told of Ruaumoko, the God of Earthquakes. It was followed by the waiata Te Aroha to unite us in the face of such an event. We observed one minute’s silence to express our sadness and links to those who died, to those who lost loved ones, and to those who were injured and endured hardship.

In remembering them, we also turned our thoughts to their whānau, families, their friends and communities who were affected by 22 February and we took time to acknowledge the love and pain associated with that loss.

The commemoration was also an opportunity to move forward, to recognise that recovery from that traumatic day is a long process and one which needs us all. We all have a role in our kura and in our community in Ōtautahi to move forward together, stronger and more resilient.