WelCom June/July 2022
St Joseph’s School narrowly avoided the direct path of a tornado that struck Levin in May, but its grounds were showered with debris and glass from broken windows and damage to neighbouring properties.
Principal Maria Lynne arrived early to the chaos and quickly assessed the situation as unsafe. In consultation with the Ministry of Education she closed the school for three days.
Volunteers and the Horowhenua District Council swung into action loaded with tools to help clean up the damage, Maria said. ‘Together with our staff, they scanned the grounds, removing debris, building refuse and thousands of shards of broken glass from our playing field.’
Returning safely to school on ‘Gratitude Tuesday’ the children took great delight playing among the sawn logs from the felled trees. ‘The logs will be placed around the school as a permanent reminder of all the good that came from the whole community,’ says Maria.
‘We’re very lucky and blessed because no one was hurt, and our community immediately came out to help. As we always say, “God is good all the time”.’
Photos: Supplied