Christchurch earthquake: Schools all over NZ welcome southerners

Redcliff Primary School remains closed after Tuesday's 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Photo /Greg Bowker

More than 200 Christchurch students are being taught in classrooms as far afield as Auckland while their schools undergo inspection and repair.

The Ministry of Education's order that all Christchurch schools close "until further notice" means pupils must stay home or enrol elsewhere.

According to the ministry, 240 have enrolled in districts outside Christchurch, with most heading to Timaru or Ashburton schools.

However, schools the Herald contacted yesterday suggested the number would be much higher and ministry staff confirmed the figure would increase when principals finished sending in their roll numbers.

Methven Primary, almost 100km from Christchurch, had an extra 24 students yesterday with 10 more due over the next few days. Principal Graham Smith said his school could handle the influx only because it was near the start of the year.

"In some ways it's an advantage that it's happened at this time of the year as what happens is most primary schools have what they call growth classrooms which new entrants fill during the year, so currently we do have a spare room."

The new students would be integrated into existing classrooms, offering them a sense of stability and normality, Mr Smith said.

Ashburton College, an hour's drive south of Christchurch, had 50 extra students yesterday and headmaster Grant McMillan said more would attend in the coming days.

Others were travelling even further to attend school - 16 are enrolled at Marlborough Girls' College and more are expected.

The headmistress, Karen Stewart, said most were staying with friends and family, but the school had offered to billet students in the community if needed.

At least 40 students will be attending schools in Auckland and King's College said 25 would start there this week. A further
20 will be starting at St Cuthbert's College.

King's headmaster Bradley Fenner said he expected up to 40 extra students over the coming weeks.