Brooklyn School feels a little more “seen and supported” after Labour MPs Camilla Belich, Damien O’Connor and Barbara Edmonds visited the kura to discuss the effects of the recent flooding.
Teacher Kerryn Ferneyhough spoke to the MPs at length, and she says it was really encouraging that they visited to discuss the impact of the events on their school community.
“We discussed the fear and grief felt by those impacted, but also the incredible strength of our community who rallied to help,” she says.
“The volunteer efforts included cooking, firewood donations, volunteers shovelling silt, care package drop-offs and so much more. The MPs were interested in discussing future resilience in communities and were asking what kind of support we would need.”
Kerryn says that one particular thing she spoke of was the mental health support needed for both students and adults after a large weather event like this.
“All in all it was a productive chat that helped our wee school feel seen and supported.”
Barbara, who is Labour’s spokesperson for finance and economy as well as savings and investment, says that in events such as the recent flooding, the main political parties try to support each other and “take the politics out of it, knowing that communities need recovery”.
