A Journey Through Our New City Centre

The first two weeks back at school have been very industrious. We wrote some poems about our experiences on the 22nd of February as they happened at school. By thinking about how we sensed each moment we were able to share ideas and memories that helped us settle back into the classroom and school life. We will include some of these at the end of this post.

First we would like to take you on a short tour of our new central city. We all decided that we wanted to have apartments in the centre so that families could enjoy some of the historical buildings that would have to be saved. Of course the Christchurch Cathedral would be restored and the Art Centre would also stay. There was a decision made to get rid of the grey flagstones that have been a part of the cathedral site for a long time now. We wanted to replace them with lawns and gardens that families, children and visitors could enjoy. The trams that were a part of the central city approximately one hundred years ago would also have to be returned. The city centre would have to be a fun place for children and families. We thought that a bit more colour would help lift the centre as well. We hope you enjoy the movie.





We have included some of our poems for you to read.

Mother Earth’s Shock

I had just finished my lunch
When the bags shuddered in the cloakroom
I felt myself shaking,
first to the left and then to the right
I was holding onto two bars
But realized that they were shaking too.
I could smell something like sewage
All the way to the cracked green field

I waited a long time before I saw my dad walking toward me
He picked me up and we stayed on the field for a while
Trying to cheer other children up.
After that we went home

Our house was such a mess
Broken glass everywhere
Pictures had fallen off shelves
The bookshelf had bumped into the wall
Making a nasty black mark.

I needed to sit on the couch and relax
I sat on the floor
Away from the candles
And watched tele.

Written by Robert



The Day Mother Earth Groaned

As my friend talked to me in the sandpit
The quake hit
Everything shook around me.
I saw people running to the field,
So I did too.
I waited for a parent to come for me
My nana turned up to get me.

After a couple of days I could taste the dust.
After a few more I could smell the sewage
The city would never be the same.

Written by Toby



When the Earthquake Struck

As I was going to start my delicious raspberry yogurt
That was when it happened!
I stood up, trying to keep my balance,
But fell over and hit the ground.

I heard the teachers stumbling out of the office block
They pointed to the field
So I too went stumbling to the field
I felt worried because the last earthquake had been bad
My cat had run away
Right now she could be anywhere

Lydia



Game is Over

As my hands touched the ball
I heard the earthquake
I tried really hard to keep my balance
But I gave up and put my hands down
I curled up.

A duty teacher said to go to the field
We lined up and waited
When mum came to sign me out
I was scared to go to my house
But we were okay.

Written by Bukhosi


Exciting Earthquake

I had taken a bite of my plum
When I saw the cracks opening in the ground
And the Earth rock from side to side.
The smell of sewage made me screw up my nose
I heard some screaming coming from the field
I thought the people were silly screaming.

I saw my Nan running to collect me
To keep me safe.
As we left school, I saw a car upside down.
That was when I knew that things were bad.


Written by Jake.

Settling Back Into School Life

Those children who were back to school this week worked hard to construct a model of central Christchurch as town planners of the future. We split into three teams; one to create paper models of historic buildings, another to create models of apartment blocks and a third to paint the street map for the buildings to sit on. We were very fortunate to have Mr Ken Dalziel and Dr. Joyce to work with us over the two days.

A unanimous decision was made to retain the Cathedral building, but with a few modifications. The children decided that the grey flagstones had to go as they weren't at all appealing to children or families. They would replace the flagstones with lawns and garden. This would bring people into the middle of the city again. They wanted trams to circle the square as they did in the early 1900s. The major difference was that inner city apartments would become a feature of the central city. There was talk of using monorail in some parts of the city rather than standard buses. What a fun time they had. We will post some video footage of the completed model next week. Here is a slide show detailing the earlier stages in the process.

I have decided that a good way of staying in touch during your absence from school is to use wallwisher. All you have to do is open the Internet site below, double click on the wall that has been created and post me a short note to let me know how you are and where you are staying if you are out of the city. I will receive your notes and we can then post them onto our blog to keep everyone updated.
Hopefully we will all be back in Room 18 before too long. If you need to pick up your school bag don't forget to read the updates on the school website as a time for pickup has been posted.

Here is the website for wallwisher: http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/Oc4g9selG9

Missing you all.
Mrs Hunter

Thinking of You All

Yesterday I walked into the city with friends for the 2 minutes of silence. As we walked home we cut through Mona Vale. The homestead was badly damaged and instantly I thought of Vienna Heeswyck and her family. Vienna's father is the restaurant manager at Mona Vale. You are all very much on my mind and I look forward to having my class back together again soon. I'm sure many of you are staying with friends and family outside of the city. Enjoy walking in the fresh air and playing with friends. Try to find some time to read each day and write in a diary if you can. As we have already discussed, writing is a unique way of communicating thoughts and feelings. Stay safe. Mrs Hunter