There was a risk of rocks falling off cliffs behind Redcliffs school following Sept 4th earthquake. A helicopter was used to wash off loose rocks to lower the risk to the school.
It's been revealed earthquake damage was only one factor considered by the Ministry of Education when it decided to close schools in Christchurch and that it was just as much to do with reducing the overall number of schools in the city.
A video of an interview with students from Shirley Boys' High School about the plans to merge their school with Christchurch Boys' High School.
There are fears that Christchurch secondary students' educations will continue to suffer as their school days are condensed in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Back now to Christchurch where today some schools are opening for the first time since Saturday's earthquake.
Elmwood School war memorial pre- and post-Christchurch earthquake
Earthquake-prone is an official classification of buildings under 34 percent of new building standards.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Manning Intermediate pupils (in white) performed a powhiri to welcome Halswell School pupils (in red) onto the school. Halswell School was badly damaged in the September 7.1 earthquake. Halswell School pupils with Principal Bruce Topham (right) listen to the welcome".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Manning Intermediate pupils performing a powhiri to welcome Halswell School pupils onto the school. Halswell school was badly damaged in the September 7.1 earthquake. From left to right: Principals Bruce Topham (Halswell School) and Richard Chambers (Manning Intermediate) greet".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Manning Intermediate pupils (in white) performed a powhiri to welcome Halswell School pupils (in red) onto the school. Halswell School was badly damaged in the September 7.1 earthquake. Richard Chambers, Principal of Manning Intermediate (right, standing) welcomes Halswell School pupils".
A photograph of students and staff of Cashmere High School and Linwood College standing at the entrance to Cashmere High School. A sign reads, "Cashmere High School welcomes Linwood College".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "School's out! Pupils from St Pauls School leave their temporary campus at Catholic Cathedral College for the summer holidays. The Dallington Catholic school pupils have had a hell of a time after their school was badly damaged in the 4 September earthquake".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to Halswell School. School Principal Bruce Topham looks at the damage".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Halswell School relocate to the Halswell Residential College after their school was damaged".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Halswell School relocate to the Halswell Residential College after their school was damaged".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Earthquake damage to Halswell School. School Principal Bruce Topham looks at the damage".
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Halswell School relocate to the Halswell Residential College after their school was damaged".
A graphic giving the status of Yaldhurst Model School.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Oxford Area School pupil Becky Hewitt (7) was enjoying being back at school yesterday".
A video of interviews with primary and high-school students about their experiences during the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The students interviewed include (Paityn Ower from Avondale Primary School; Leah Temesvari, Ryan Cleaver, Jenna Hayes, and Logan Emery from Kaiapoi High School; Nikora Webster-Epiha, Grace Smith, and Natasha Gordon from Wainoni School; and Harry Loughan, Rebecca Lane, Scott Price, Maltin Tauave, Charlie Kavanagh, and Amy Sisson from Linwood College. This video was part of The Press's 'Christchurch, one year after February 22, 2011' series.
School travel is a major aspect of a young person’s everyday activity. The relationship between the built environment that youth experience on their way to and from school, influences a number of factors including their development, health and wellbeing. This is especially important in low income areas where the built environment is often poorer, but the need for it to be high quality and accessible is greater. This study focusses on the community of Aranui, a relatively low income suburb in Christchurch, New Zealand. It pays particular attention to Haeata Community Campus, a state school of just under 800 pupils from year one through to year thirteen (ages 5-18). The campus opened in 2017 following the closure of four local schools (three primary and one secondary), as part of the New Zealand Government’s Education Renewal scheme following the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010/11. Dedicated effort toward understanding the local built environment, and subsequent travel patterns has been argued to be insufficiently considered. The key focus of this research was to understand the importance of the local environment in encouraging active school travel. The present study combines geospatial analysis, quantitative survey software Maptionnaire, and statistical models to explore the features of the local environment that influence school travel behaviour. Key findings suggest that distance to school and parental control are the most significant predictors of active transport in the study sample. Almost 75% of students live within two kilometres of the school, yet less than 40% utilise active transport. Parental control may be the key contributing factor to the disproportionate private vehicle use. However, active school travel is acknowledged as a complex process that is the product of many individual, household, and local environment factors. To see increased active transport uptake, the local environment needs to be of greater quality. Meaning that the built environment should be improved to be youth friendly, with greater walkability and safe, accessible cycling infrastructure.
A video of a press conference with Minister of Education Hekia Parata about the Ministry's decisions for secondary schools in Christchurch. Earlier in the day Parata announced that all secondary schools will stay open, and that Avonside Girls' High School and Shirley Boys' High School will share a new site.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Schools around Christchurch return after a week off due to the earthquake. Banks Avenue School is situated in one of the worst hit areas. Jordan Preston, aged 5, heading into school".
A graphic giving the status of Windsor School.
A graphic giving the status of Duvauchelle School.
A video of an interview with John Laurenson, Principal at Shirley Boys' High School, about the Government announcement of a possible merger of Shirley Boys' and Christchurch Boys' High Schools. Laurenson explains that the government has retracted this statement and that Shirley Boys' will be rebuilt. He also talks about how the announcement has upset the Shirley community.
A graphic giving the status of Burwood School.
Photograph captioned by Fairfax, "Halswell School Principal Bruce Topham looks at liquefaction on the school ground after the latest quake".
Four schools in quake hit Canterbury reopened today - the first since Saturday's shake closed about 165 schools in the area.
More now on the charter schools which the Government is planning to trial in South Auckland and in some parts of Christchurch, which were hit badly in the earthquake.