‘The Wobbly Bridge Earthquake’- Ashley, 7, Harewood School
When the earthquake happened I was in the playground on the wobbly bridge. I was lucky I got off. When I got off I did the Turtle shape. I was really scared. By the time we got to the multi-purpose room I was in tears. I was lucky my mum came to take me home. That night we drove down to Dunedin and stayed with my cousins. We were lucky at school cause we still had power but at home we didn’t for a few days. While we were in Dunedin we went to a park across the road from my cousins Grandads. There my mums sister and my mum found a bouncy ball. They gave it to me. At home we probably had more earthquakes but we had no shakes in Dunedin. Now that we are home we will have to get used to the shakes.
Hi Ashley
What a place to be when the earthquake came…on the wobbly bridge! I am pleased you were able to get off and do the turtle so quickly.
Many people shed tears on that Tuesday which is quite normal as it was a big day.
How lovely that Mum could come and pick you up and take you to Dunedin.
It sounds as though you had a good time there with your cousins and what a bonus to get a bouncy ball.
Take care now and remember we in New Zealand are all thinking of you and trying to help as much as we can.
From Ella in Auckland.
Hi Ashley, thank you for your story I read and hear your words. Your are very brave, smart thinking to quickly get off the wobbly bridge. You’ve got good balance huh!
Making a turtle shape too is quick thinking and a safe way to wait for the shaking to stop, well done. Your a star*. To be frightened is a real thing and this tells you to be awake and be clever and think about the best thing to do. Animals use their fear to tell them how to survive in the wild world. And they are too fast like you. With a special sense called instinct, this helps you to act and be brave. Your story tells me you have got great instinct, and you listen to this. Good on you Ashley!
My daughter just turned 8 she has finished being seven and loves being a big 8year old, her name is Jade, We live near Nelson in Kaiteriteri. And we did feel the first earthquake here but not the 2nd one.
I grew up as a child in a place called Murchison, we had lots of little earthquakes growing up…….so I know that quiet feeling of waiting and not sure whats happening. And I send you lotsa love and hugs and warm fuzzies, so you know your never alone and all of NZ is thinking of you these new days. There is a big clean up happening in your town huh! Good luck with your powerful instinct little one. And maybe you should make some wobbly jelly for some fun* LOVE N HUGS JADE& ALICE
Ashley you were very brave and did the right thing being a turtle! It was good we were all safe at school.
dear Ashley
We are having a funky hair day to raise money to the Christchurch earthquake. We hope you are okay and your family is too. We feel sorry that you were really scared.
From Adam and Anaru room6 Omanu school Mount Maunganui.
Thank you for letting me read your story.
i feel relly sorry for you guys. tauriko school is having a red and black day on friday the 8th of march for you
Great story Ashley! I’m pleased to hear you got off the wobbly bridge ok & what a good girl you were to remember to get into the ‘Turtle shape’
Lachie was at his new school – Discovery1 – which is in the centre of the city on the 3rd floor! He had to walk right through the city to get down to Hagley Park.
Say hi to Mum from me.
Janine (Lachie’s Mum)
xox
Hi Ashley,
What a great story you have written. The bridge would have felt extra wobbly, so it was good you got off it. I’m sure you slept lots better down in Dunedin away from the aftershocks. Lets hope they settle soon, so we can feel normal again. See you back at school soon.
Love Mrs Stone
it was a good idea going to Dunedin for a few days. All those shakes do take a bit of getting used to. You were very brave during the earthquake and you new just what to do, well done, Ashley.