‘Following the Earthquake’- Jacob, 7, St Albans School
On the 22nd of February we were playing when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Christchurch at 12:51pm. I find it hard to remember how I felt but it makes me feel sick to think about it. My heart is with the people that have lost loved ones. Many historic buildings have been destroyed. In the future they may be rebuilt. They have removed 120,000 tonnes of silt from the city and expect 60,000 tonnes more
. To get away from the aftershocks we went to stay with our cousins in Rangiora. We stayed there because we didn’t have water. On the first day I took my bike, there is a mini race track there. Most of the second day me and my cousins danced to music and put on a concert for the adults. We didn’t feel any shakes there. On Saturday morning Mum went with Mrs Warren to inspect the buildings at school. We went over and it had turned into a clean up. All of the sand volcanoes disappeared. They have removed 4 tonnes of silt from our school. In the afternoon I went to a police birthday party. We played lots of games and I made a model tank out of cardboard. Then we ate delicious food. Early this week we went to Akaroa and we stayed up the hill not too far from the beach. I am looking forward to going back to school and things being back to normal. 
well done Jake
Dear Jacob
I am so sorry you went through this terrible experience like so many others in Canterbury.
It is good for me to hear your story as it makes me think about how I can help. I wish I could make earthquakes go away and never come back so that people don’t have them again.
Your cousins in Rangiora will be happy to see you and enjoying biking and dancing with you. What a great idea to put on a concert for the adults, they would have been so impressed!
Poor old school…it seems as though it is being cleaned up though which is good news.
Did you enjoy the police birthday party? You must be pretty smart to be able to make a tank out of cardboard.
I hope things get back to normal for you soon Jacob, I want you to know we are thinking of you all the time and know how brave you are. Please look after yourself, you are very precious.
From Ella in Auckland.
Thank you for your message. The police party was fun, I loved it. The adults all loved our concert we did some stunts on our bikes. We went back to school today and that felt better.
Wooh Jacob, what wonderful writing. you must have been very frightened, but very brave too. I have a 7 yr old girl from Sumner staying at my school at the moment. We think about everyone in Christchurch all the time, and can’t imagine what it was like
I do hope you are able to go back to school soon.
Lots of love to you and mum dad and Eva.
Jenny and Lyle
Thanks Jenny. I went to school today and all my friends are fine. We had a person in our class today called Ella, she was from Banks Ave. Talk soon.
I’m sorry about road and you’s have to walk instead of driving
What a brave boy you must be to have been through so many earthquakes. I hope you can get back to normal soon. Take care of everyone
I am alright, I was brave. Our family is okay we on’t like the aftershocks though. We went back to school today. Jacob and Eva
Hello Jacob,
You are right – the experience of the earthquake – and even mention of the word makes some people feel very sick in the tummy. You have great responses though, because you have felt the worst side of it – and now have stretched all the way up to being happy and dancing – and looking forward to being at school.
I live in Australia and when the floods left all the mud behind it was really difficult for everyone. We know that it must be very tough because things were not the same for a while. We all wanted to help the people of Christchurch and so I am pleased to read you have your family and friends and things to do, and activities that you like. Good Luck for when school begins again.
Deborah
Hi Jacob
Thank you for posting this writing online. I cannot imagine what your school must have looked like with 4 tonnes of silt. Where are the trucks taking all this silt to? I heard on the TV last night that some schools have reopened in Christchurch. Is your school one of them?
I’m so glad that you were able to stay with your cousins in Rangiora. I’m sure they were pleased to have you visit. We are all thinking of you up here in Tauranga wishing that we were closer so we could scoop you up for a long visit.
I hope that things will start getting back to normal for you soon. Give Mum, Dad and Eva a big hug from Tauranga.
Nicki xx
Hello Jacob and Eva,
I hope you loved being back at school to see your friends and teachers today. Good luck with each new day. I wonder if there is an exercise, like a stretch or something, if there are any little aftershocks.
Hi Jacob
Thanks for your very brave sharing. Your writing is wonderful. It gave me a much better idea of what it must have been like for you.
I’m really glad you and your family are all ok. I was looking on Facebook for your Mum to write something so I knew you were all ok.
I’m going to show your writing and this website to all the children at my school in Auckland
Take care
Viki