World news – The nightly floods forced 28 children to sleep in their school library

Jen Clark was too worried to sleep on Friday night. The rapidly rising flood had forced her eight-year-old son Kai and 27 of his schoolmates to spend the night in their school library, digging under blankets donated by neighbors.

He was not used to sleeping without them nearby. He was scared. And when the water and wind lashed the city, she didn’t know how long he would be stranded. « You feel so helpless, even though they are very comforting in school, » she said.

« The teachers couldn’t have been more supportive, and there was a lot of love. They stayed up with the kids all night making them feel safe. It doesn’t stop your motherly urge to have your son with you. « 

The students at Kendall Public School near Port Macquarie on the north-central New South Wales coast had barely started class on Friday when the headmaster told parents that a nearby river was rising rapidly and the Crossing will soon be interrupted.

The parents across the river tried to get to school, but within half an hour it was too late. The authorities decided that it would be for the students – some as young as five years old – It would be safer to stay in school than to try to bring her home.

Thirteen school workers – including many who had their own young children at home – stayed to look after them went to the library, played games, did puzzles and read stories.

Jen Clark with her eight-year-old son Kai, who spent the night in the library of his school due to flooding.

The canteen coordinator was also h on site to cook dinner. « All the children ended a good meal with chicken nuggets, lasagna and nice fruit, » said a Facebook message that was sent to parents just before 8 p.m.

Parents could talk to their children on the phone. Jess Rocca’s daughter Jordan Marden turned seven on Friday, but instead of coming home and eating cakes and opening presents, she was stuck at school.

« I just spoke to her on the phone and she just cares about what is eaten for dinner (fussy eater). If the water goes down before tonight (it won’t), please can stay anyway, « wrote Ms. Rocca on Facebook.

Caleb Marden leads his daughter Jordan over the River after spending the night at school

At 9 p.m., the teachers sent messages to the parents again. « Everyone in the library is all very calm, » they wrote. “Almost everyone is asleep and very relaxed. You should all be very proud of your children for getting along so well. “

They slept on exercise mats, inflatable mattresses and camp beds with blankets, sleeping bags and pillows donated by neighbors. They had weet-bix for breakfast and chips, scallops and sausages donated by local food stalls for lunch.

On Saturday afternoon, the dinghies took the parents across the river to school. All the children were picked up in the early evening. There were crushing cuddles, tears of relief, and deep gratitude.

« There was a co-worker whose home in North Haven was underwater, » said Ms. Clark. « Some of the other teachers have children of their own, the headmaster has young children, but they chose to stay and support the children. »

The headmistress, Alison Jenner, the community gathered around the school and borrowed the Students get blankets, sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses. Some children were concerned, others were excited about an impromptu overnight school stay.

« We were concerned about our little ones, especially our [kindergarten students], » she said. “There were a few little ones who were worried about not being with their parents. We talked to the kids about what happened.

« I don’t know if staff got too much sleep. They double-checked those who were concerned and kept them pretty close together. I can don’t talk highly enough about them or the community. « 

Kai told his mom he was scared during the night when the rain and wind howled and they could see the river rising and falling, but his teachers stayed on on his side to reassure him.

« The teachers are well equipped to gather around the children and build their resilience, » said Ms. Clark.

« My son told me about several conversations where they sat and talked to him about how he was doing. Where do you go to thank the teachers who would have their own scared kids in their own four walls? “

Kendall Public will be one of many schools closed due to flooding on Monday.

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