The day began with a full assembly of all staff, teachers and children. Prayers were led by the teaching assistants to remember those who died and those who had lost family members and suffered in the earthquake. These prayers were followed by two minutes of silence. In the classrooms, teachers included activities that allowed the children to talk about their loved ones lost in the tragedy. Those students who had lost either a mother or father were treated as 'special' for the day. Each lit candles and talked about their loss.