Welcome back! It's school as usual following the events of February 22 that rocked our city.

Spreydon re-opened this morning with our wonderful students and families managing to keep things as normal as possible. For a few Spreydon was a new school as families moved here. We also have some new five year olds and we have made contact with all our families from last month.

You will be pleased to know the school is safe. We have had two engineering visits and respective reports prepared and our essential systems appear to be functioning satisfactorily. We have identified some areas of concern and we have cordoned these off as we inspect further, repair or take apart. For some items we have had to make changes. As an example our water supply has been under considerable pressure. We have asked all students to bring their own drinking water. Today we arranged a back up supply and we have four water monitors who will ensure we have water around all the classrooms on a daily basis. We get our water through the generous support of Aakland Chemicals here in Wigram. The school has purchased water and jerry cans while we also received water from ENZAFOODS New Zealand Limited, via transport from Nelson.

Many members of the school community have been in contact with the school and it is humbling to receive so many offers of support and encouragement. If you are in the Spreydon community a useful task might be to ring your neighbours and ensure they know Spreydon is open.

We are postponing our school camp. More details will be issued later.

On reflection, the staff fcompleted an amazing job on the afternoon of the earthquake. Our students were organised in classes outside. Parents werre met in an orderly manner and the needs of the individual students were managed. I am aware that many staff had their own families and homes to take care of, yet without exception, they stayed here to ensure the safety of our students before attending to their own concerns. What a fabulous team effort.

I trust you and yours remain safe and well. In the next few days we will run hot drinks in the school hall for families returning to the school. I invite any parents of our students to join us here as they settle children back into the 'normal' routines.

If these earthquakes teach us anything it is to have a plan for our family, no matter what the emergency.

Stay safe.