Support available for schools post earthquake

19 August 2013

Support available for schools post earthquake

The Ministry of Education is continuing to provide support and advice to schools and early childhood education centres following Friday’s earthquake.

Deputy Secretary, Regional Operations, Katrina Casey, says the Ministry has contacted all 537 schools in the central south region to check on any damage and to offer well-being support.

“We know this is a really stressful time for a lot of people because they’ve been dealing with a number of serious earthquakes and aftershocks in recent weeks.”

“The support we’re offering includes tips on recognising and managing behaviours that are out of the ordinary and unexpected, and creating risk registers and processes for supporting for adults, children and students who are particularly vulnerable at this time. There is also advice about normalising the school and ECE environments and activities.

“Schools and parents can also get access to a wide range of factsheets that will help them on the Ministry’s website.”

“These contain practical advice to help support young people and colleagues who feel anxious after the earthquakes and aftershocks.”

Ms Casey says nearly all schools opened as usual today.

Marlborough Girls’ College, Marlborough Boys’ College and Ward School are closed today, but all three schools plan to open tomorrow.

Te Kura –a-iwi o whakatupuranga Rua Mano in Otaki has also notified the Ministry it closed this morning as it doesn’t have water, although it’s not known if this is related to Friday’s earthquake.

Ms Casey says there have been a small number of reports about superficial damage to school property.

“Teams have been working hard to complete property assessments in priority order, which is based on the structural integrity assessments made after last month’s earthquake.”

Support resources can be accessed by visiting http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistry/EmergencyManagement/TipsAndTools.aspx

ENDS

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