Our Earthquake Diary

As we returned to school after the earthquake, we kept a diary of our experience.....

14 March 2011
20 days after the earthquake....

After 20 days of hearing helicopters thud through the sky, using portaloos, boiling water and shifting houses we are finally back at sschool.  We are enjoing doing normal things.  But what isn't normal is that there are only 8 children and 1 teacher!
Bryn, Zak, Cleo, Seb, Thomas, Jordan, Jessica, Bo and Mrs Mckendry

15 March 2011
21 days after the earthquake...

Yesterday was an unusual day.  Our classroom felt deserted and we had time for exciting activities such as art and sport.  We didn't notice aftershocks and we had a great day. We still have the same numbers of children in Room 14.
Bryn, Zak, Cleo, Seb, Thomas, Jordan, Jessica, Bo and Mrs Mckendry

17 March 2011
23 days after the earthquake...

Christchurch is having a memorial service tomorrow in Hagley Park to remember people who died in the earthquake. Prince William is coming all the way from England.  He must be special because people are making a toilet just for him! (special toilets for special bottoms)
Seb, Thomas, Tamsin, Jordan, Cleo, Bryn, Zak, Jessica and Mrs Mckendry
21 March 2011
27 days after the earthquake...

Prince William flew into Sumner in a police helicopter.  The crowd was excited as he shook hands and chatted to people. He asked Bryn if he was back at school yet.  We didn't see the Royal loo!  Buildings in the city are beginning to be used again!
Bryn, Cleo, Tamsin, Bo, Zak, Seb, Thomas, Jordan, Jessica and Mrs Mckendry

3 months after the earthquake

Finally we have everyone back in our class.  Hannah arrived back from England today and everything at school seems to be quite normal again. We are doing lots of imaginative writing, maths and reading.  Our topic is about plants and we are playing sport every week now.
But.... some things still aren't normal. Four people have left, we are having Tsunami drills, some of us don't live in our normal homes, there are still aftershocks and it takes a really long time to get to some places around town!

What has changed for you?