Previous
Head Got it Wrong, but Kids Learn Real Lesson
Added: (Thu Jan 27 2005)
Thursday, 27 January 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press release from: St Aidan’s County High School
Lismore Place
Carlisle
CA1 1LY
01228 607587
Head teacher Martin Murphy told his new geography class that a disastrous flood in Carlisle was extremely unlikely. The class wanted to go on and discuss the causes of the Asian Tsunami, as the school had already decided that it wanted to have a big fund raising event to support the victims. “Not this lesson”, said Mr Murphy, “as today’s subject is flooding in Carlisle. Since the big floods of ’68, flood barriers have been built, making it virtually impossible. Next week we will be looking at what happened in the Indian Ocean.”
They all missed their next lesson…….. because their school was flooded!
The following week, their first geography lesson when they returned to school, found them in the school’s flood ravaged sports hall, with Mr Murphy walking them through a gigantic map of the world. They could see, traced out on the damaged floor, the outline of all the world’s landmasses. The strangely beautiful wave in the floor boards, left by the receding floodwater, passes through Sumatra.
Now they can see why some countries were affected and others not. They can stand at the epicentre of the earthquake and understanding slowly settles as peace and quiet descend on the class: they are painting their tribute, their understanding, their message of hope and renewal.
The Facts
On Saturday 8th January, the rivers Eden, Petteril and Caldew overflowed their flood defences in Carlisle and put most of the city centre under water. Although St Aidan’s School did not suffer as badly a Newman school, the whole of its ground floor was flooded and the sports hall floor was ruined. The water caused the boards to swell and rise in a big wave running down the middle of the floor.
Mr Kelly’s Brain Wave
Senior teacher, Gerard Kelly, had the idea of using this wave as a symbol of both hope and destruction: the school could create a piece of performance art which would connect Carlisle’s disaster to the much worse Asian floods. It would help students and other members of the community to deal with their own experiences while thinking of those even more unfortunate.
Time is limited: the floor will be ripped up and replaced in two week’s time. An ephemeral work of art is emerging from the waves.
C Jensen