As they arrived at Ohau School, just off State Highway 1 south of Levin, they were met by three men - parents with children at the school - at the gate.
"We just want to get through the day," said one.
"Our priority is the children."
Some pupils at the small school of about 200 played on the basketball court before the morning bell rang.
Others though are worried about the events of the last week - both Alex's death and the revelation that police believe a burglary at Waitarere Beach could be of interest to their inquiry.
"She's a bit worried at the moment because someone has killed her classmate," said a man whose daughter was in Alex's class.
"For two days now we've had her sleeping on a mattress in the lounge," he said.
"She's under the impression that the person who robbed the house will maybe come back and rob another house."
The man's son also attends the school, but was in a different class.
"It has affected them. My daughter's going to the funeral tomorrow. Her and Alex used to share homework.
"It's really sad."
The man hadn't heard from the school if anything was planned today.
When phoned, a woman at the school declined to comment.
Last week principal Kathy Trevena-Brown released a statement, recalling Alex's enjoyment of kapa haka, softball, basketball and water polo.
She said the school had "lost a lovely member of our family".
"Alex was a delightful student who did find some aspects of school life challenging, but he was up for it."
The school was "so proud of him", she said.
A Ministry of Education traumatic incident team was at the school last week.
Ministry head of sector support and enablement Katrina Casey said the team met staff to "ensure they felt confident to support children as they returned to school today".
"We have been back in touch today with Ohau School, following our visit last week, to check how staff and students are coping.
"The principal has told us that the plans developed with our traumatic incident team have been put in place, including having extra staff in Alex's classroom," Ms Casey said.
"We understand that parents are happy with how the school are handling things."
Some staff will be attending the funeral tomorrow and parents will be allowed to take their children along too. The school won't be closed.
"We have told the school that we are available for further support if required," Ms Casey said.
