Monday's Earthquakes

It is a bit of a worry to think that we are getting used to earthquakes and aftershocks. Having said that, the quakes on Monday gave us all a fright. Well done to teachers and students who followed the earthquake drills. Thank you also to the parents/caregivers who picked up the children calmly.

We were back to business as usual by Wednesday morning. We are very luck at Yaldhurst Model School and our thoughts go out to others in the Christchurch Community who are presently suffering hardship.

Another Busy Week

Last week was a great week with many exciting activities for our students. Room 4 were very busy with baking which doubled as a fundraiser. There is no doubt that our students are kind and caring with a strong sense of the need to contribute positively to the community.

Room 6 were busy with the Joshua Foundation that took them through a series of activities to develop leadership capabilities. These activities challenged our students as they needed to first step back and come up with a plan of how they were going to approach the activity. Part of the plan was making sure that everyone was given an opportunity to express his/her ideas.

Then to cap off another busy week the PTA kindly arranged for a fun get together on Sunday as a chance for the community to have a relaxing time post earthquake. A bouncy castle, pony rides and soccer (parents and children) all added to the happy atmosphere.

We want to open but...

The board and myself are trying very hard to reach the Ministry of Education to confirm that we are absolutely ready to open. Everything in the school is safe including the drinking water.

The Ministry of Education are obviously swamped with work at the moment as they have not been able to return my calls. All we can do is wait and continue to ask for their permission to open. We will be opening as soon as we possibly can but at present our hands are tied.

Please keep checking the website for updates.

Thanks
Allan Robertson

Closure Continues

I cannot give a date for when we are opening. We are hoping for very early next week.

I attended a Canterbury Primary Principals' meeting this afternoon where we were briefed by members of the Ministry of Education. The job they have in front of them is mammoth. We have been very lucky at Yaldhurst and my thoughts go out to the schools who are in the midst of shattered communities.

At this point I cannot give a starting date for school. The staff are preparing for it being early next week. Civil Defence have stated that if schools pass the structural test - and we have - that they need to be able to assure them that they have safe water and sewerage. Our sewerage is fine. I have had one water test done and our well water is fine but the Canterbury District Health Board wants three tests. I will do these over the next two days. If the water testing lab is not open on Saturday I may have to wait until Monday to do the third test.

There is an outside possibility that children may need to bring bottled water for a day. If this is the case I will make sure we have an extra supply of bottled water on site.

School Still Closed

Our BoT chairperson has just been informed by the Ministry of Education that all schools in Christchurch will be subject to a more in-depth structural engineers report. We now hope to open on Monday 7 March but we cannot be sure until we have been inspected and given the ok to open.

Please note this is different to the first structural engineer's inspection. This is a Civil Defence requirement.

Allan Robertson

Civil Defence State of Emergency

These are very tough times for Christchurch and I know we have all been touched in some way by the tragedy. At this point the YMS Board of Trustees feel that the best way we can serve our community is to open the school. We are on the fringes of the city and there are other schools not too far from us (in Selwyn District) who have been allowed to open.

The Board of Trustees has to follow the Civil Defence rules and we will do so because we realise we are part of a bigger picture. We hope to open as soon as possible and we will be ready to welcome our students back with open arms.

When the Ministry of Education and Civil Defence confirm we can open, your child's teacher will ring the number we have for you on our file to check on your family and inform you of the reopening date.  Please ring our office as soon as possible if your contact number has changed.

Thanks
Allan Robertson

School Remains Closed

A structural engineer commissioned by the Ministry of Education has confirmed that the school buildings are structurally safe but we have to remain closed until Civil Defence allows us to reopen.

I have been in touch with the Ministry of Education to impress upon them that we are on the outskirts of town and that we are ready to reopen so now it is in their hands.

I am very aware that these are difficult times and when the school reopens we will do our very best to accommodate the varying needs of families. We will be contacting each family individually as soon as we have more details about when we are opening.

My thoughts go out to all who are feeling great sadness at this time.

Allan

Closed Until Safety Check

The Ministry of Education have informed schools that we are closed until safety inspections have been carried out.

The moment we have been given permission to open YMS staff will ring each of our families to inform them of when we are opening. We hope it will be Monday but we cannot confirm this at the moment.

Earthquake Closure Continues

My thoughts go out to all of those in our community who are dealing with the tragedies caused by the earthquake.

School is closed until at least Monday 28 February.

Earthquake Closure

Well done to all of the children today who acted so sensibly and calmly during the quake. Everyone was quickly accounted for and was safe. It was ok to be scared and brave at the same time.

School is closed tomorrow (Wednesday 23 February) as per instructions from the Ministry of Education.

We look forward to opening again as soon as possible.

My thoughts go out to all who are facing tragic news.

A Small Communities Generosity for Earthquake Victims

Donation gratefully accepted.

The Linwood Salvation Army were very appreciative of the cheque for $100 and the assorted foodstuffs that our community raised to help with earthquake relief.

It was great to see our community getting behind this fundraising effort.

Our thoughts go out to those people who have to rebuild their lives.

A Great Start Back

The aim today was to keep make sure we all knew how to be safe while carrying on with our usual daily routines. All of our classes calmly practised the "Earthquake Drop."

Thank you to all of our community who calmly carried on with business as usual.

It is great to be back!

Looking Forward To Monday

The staff have been working very hard at school to prepare for Monday. We will be glad to see everyone!

We are going to stick to our normal routines. Business As Usual

Please follow your normal morning routine. Although I know that adults will have lots they would like to talk about the staff very much want to concentrate on the children. 

Please rest assured that we will be practicing emergency procedures early this morning. 

Please note I have included some links at the bottom of the 'Welcome Page' of the school website that have good advice relating to the website. 

Also please note that we have postponed school photos. 

It is important that you inform the school if your child is not able to attend. It is also important that you inform us if your contact details have changed.

YMS Not Open until Monday 13 September 2010

YMS will not be open until Monday. At this moment I cannot guarantee safe water and after recent aftershocks we have buildings that need to be checked.

Please stay safe and we look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.

YMS Earthquake Update Not Opening until Monday 13 September 2010

Please take note of the following message below from the Ministry of Education. 
Canterbury Earthquake information

Last updated: Tuesday 7 September at 3:30pm

Important situation update 7 September at 3:30pm

Schools and early childhood services should be closed to students and children until Monday 13 September, and open to staff before that, subject to a structural clearance.

The Ministry position is that more time is needed to check schools and early childhood services buildings. This is due to the extent of initial damage and to aftershock damage occurring to buildings already checked.

Schools and early childhood services who have clearance will also need time to prepare for students returning. There are significant issues relating to water quality, especially for younger students.

Ministry advice is that Boards need to be confident that their school is structurally sound, that any damage to buildings or grounds has been assessed and isolated, equipment checked, and that plans are in place to deal with provision of water and pastoral care of students. We will make a further decision on Thursday afternoon.

YMS Earthquake Update

We have been very lucky at YMS as the school has sustained almost no damage. A builder and plumber have already been on site and an electrician is due to come tomorrow to repair 2 damaged lights in Room 4.

A representative from School Support Property Division will be inspecting the school tomorrow in preparation for opening on Wednesday as planned. We have water, power, sewerage and communications all up and running.

As you can see from the photos below, we had very little mess. It has all been cleared away now and I am looking forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday.

My thoughts go out to those in our community who have not been so fortunate.