This literature review uses research informed by disasters including the Christchurch Earthquakes, Hurricane Katrina, Red River floods, War in Israel and natural disasters in Indonesia to identify key aspects within teacher-student relationships which result in an increase in the emotional stability of our students. These aspects include prior knowledge of students and their development, psycho-social interventions and incorporation of the disaster into the curriculum. Teacher-student relationships are highlighted as vital to a child’s healing and resilience after experiencing disaster trauma.
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Avonside Girls High School".
The new staff room at Avonside Girls High School with the new classrooms in the background. The photograph has been captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "Avonside Girls High School staff room. We spoke to two Science teachers who talked enthusiastically about their new Science labs and how great it was to return to their own campus again".
Photograph captioned by BeckerFraserPhotos, "The new staff room at Avonside Girls High School".
A photograph submitted by Anonymous to the QuakeStories website. The description reads, "The demolition of our preschool opposite Cranmer Square. All children and teachers were evacuated safely with the help of builders working on the old Girl’s High building in front.".
Members of the University of Canterbury's E-Learning team in their temporary office in the NZi3 building. The photographer comments, "University of Canterbury administration all fits into one building! Well, sort of. Alison McIntyre, manager of the liaison librarians, and Herbert Thomas, e-learning team leader, discussing support for teachers".
A natural disaster will inevitably strike New Zealand in the coming years, damaging educational facilities. Delays in building quality replacement facilities will lead to short-term disruption of education, risking long-term inequalities for the affected students. The Christchurch earthquake demonstrated the issues arising from a lack of school planning and support. This research proposes a system that can effectively provide rapid, prefabricated, primary schools in post-disaster environments. The aim is to continue education for children in the short term, while using construction that is suitable until the total replacement of the given school is completed. The expandable prefabricated architecture meets the strength, time, and transport requirements to deliver a robust, rapid relief temporary construction. It is also adaptable to any area within New Zealand. This design solution supports personal well-being and mitigates the risk of educational gaps, PTSD linked with anxiety and depression, and many other mental health disorders that can impact students and teachers after a natural disaster.