When the city of Christchurch went into lockdown on Friday March 15 2019, you, the teachers in schools, kura and early learning centres kept our children and young people safe.
In very challenging circumstances you came up with creative ways to keep children calm, occupied, fed and toileted. As sorrow and despair swept over the city and the rest of the country, there was also grateful relief that kids were being kept safe in schools and early childhood centres.
One year on and our gratefulness has not diminished, nor our sympathy for all those with friends and family that lost their lives in the attack. The distress and grief of that day is still being felt.
There’s a plaque at Pony Point (Lyttelton), an unofficial memorial, where 51 fledgling native trees are growing. The plaque reads “Humanity. When you sow a seed of kindness and empathy it grows into 51 trees of hope and love.”
(Above: page in the Book of Aroha)
You are in a unique position to sow those seeds in the children and young people you influence and shape every day. We all need to continue to work towards creating a country where freedom, justice, hope and love are non-negotiable values. We must confront and call out racism, intolerance, white supremacy and bigotry.
Please browse the Book of Aroha which was created last year, with hundreds of messages of support and solidarity from teachers all around the country for the education community in Christchurch.
Please feel free to connect with us and click on these resources to help support your ongoing work in this area:
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