I am away on school camp for the first part of this week up at Aoraki/Mt Cook.

I posted the following on the school’s Facebook page on Sunday night. I’m re-publishing it here just in case people missed this:

Obviously there is nothing that words can do to convey the utter shock, dismay, anger, horror of the attacks on Friday afternoon in Christchurch. It’s certainly a day when somehow our innocence as a nation was ripped away from us, and we’ll never get that back again. Friday was a day when our place in the ugliness of the world was well and truly confirmed. I guess that it’s up to us all to ensure that this place is a one off and that we promote and live our lives in New Zealand in a manner in which we want all people to be a part in an equal and equitable way. Much Aroha, unity, patience, empathy and understanding is needed.
Our role at school will be an important one. I imagine this will be a lifelong role for us all.

As a small step forward, on Friday at assembly after the national anthem we will have a period of silence in memory. I would also like to have a mufti day on Friday. The theme of the mufti day will be Aroha, Unity and Hope. In collaboration with the Christchurch City Council, we will support their campaign called Colour Your Day. We will wear bright, happy colours. Donations will go to the Christchurch Mayoral Fund called, ‘Our People, Our City’.

Please note – the Canterbury Primary Principals Association has been in contact with Muslim advisors through the MOE. They have advised that the wearing of red is the least culturally appropriate colour from the perspective of the Muslim community; therefore, we ask that children do not wear red.

By wearing bright, happy colours, we will be showing our support for our Muslim communities and the people of Christchurch.

We regularly run fire drills and earthquake drills here at school. As you will be aware all of the schools in the Christchurch area were asked to go into Lockdown on Friday afternoon. As we have classes away at Camp we will be running a lockdown drill early next week to ensure that we are also ready.

There is a lot of online support out there for parents, and we believe that this is a good place to start.

Much love everyone …. Steve Zonnevylle

https://www.theparentingplace.com/how-to-talk-about/world-trauma/?fbclid=IwAR0DJHNNsv8w6kAtgrqRQftpz23SjYUUSic7SGOehORlZEUZE3Ccw1dJtyc

A massive thank you (again) needs to go out to our PTA who organised the Ice Skate Tour people to come to Gleniti School. It was a great week and weekend of experiences on the “ice” for our children. Thank you PTA for funding the in class lessons and for bringing this event to Gleniti School J

Congratulations to: Rory Baxter and Hunter Stevenson who attended the Canterbury Children’s Champs for Athletics at the weekend and their team won the 10boys relay. Rory also came 2nd in discus with a throw of 25.19 metres.

Steve Zonnevylle

Principal

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