It is appropriate that we acknowledge the tragic events that took place in Christchurch last Friday and declare that Waitaki Boys’ stand together to send our love, prayers and thoughts to the families of the victims and indeed to the Muslim community of NZ

We specifically send our love to the families of Husnain and Zahran, who have friends in the Christchurch Muslim community directly affected by the senseless and cowardly act of terror and offer them any support that they require.

The victims were simply going to a place of sanctuary and peace to pray. Most were immigrants or refugees who had chosen to come to live in NZ because it is a safe and peaceful place. As has been said often in the past few days this is not what our country stands for. Terrorism has now come to NZ and our country will change forever. We have lost our innocence. Events that have taken place in New York, London and Paris have come to us.

Many of you may not know much about the Islamic faith, the followers of that faith are called Muslims. Muslims have five pillars of their religion, which are daily prayer, a pilgrimage to the holy city of mecca (if possible), a month of fasting during the year, declaring a love of God and giving to others. Through their faith they are loving and giving people.

By choosing to come to NZ they have also become New Zealanders. The outpouring of love and compassion which has swept across our country in the aftermath, serves to remind us that if we can live in a community where we not only tolerate but respect the difference of all cultures and religions that are not our own, then it will be a much better place to live in.

I am reminded of the famous words of the great civil rights activist Martin Luther King when he said

“I have a dream, that one day my children will live in a world where a person is judged not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.”

All staff are available at any time for you to talk about what happened. If you require additional support Mr Pine is always available to talk to.

At interval and lunchtime the library is open for you to write messages of sympathy on cards or a message board, and in due course we will pass these onto the families of Husnain and Zahran.

With regards to our own “lockdown” procedures in an event such as this, Mr Mattisson is looking at our process and we will have a practice before the end of term. As it currently stands we are fortunate to have a school-wide intercom system and follow the instructions that come across that.

Finally, let us all remember that love and kindness will always overcome hatred and bitterness.

What can you do to make a difference – easy – sow love and kindness to those who might be different to you. We are all New Zealanders.

Darryl Paterson
Rector