Clare Valley students receive support following minivan tragedy

MINISTER OF Education, Curtis King on Monday, September 12 visited the Clare Valley Government School to offer support to the staff and students as they seek to cope with the aftermath of the omnibus accident at Sandy Bay on Sunday in which five people died and several others sustained injuries.

The omnibus was taking residents from Clare Valley to Owia to attend the funeral of Owia resident, Rohan ‘Charla’ Rawlins who was shot and killed at a new housing settlement at Lowmans Bay on August 15.

Addressing the morning assembly, minister King asked the students to support each other as the whole student body has been impacted by the tragedy.

“It is a painful period and some of you are related to one or two of the victims, and some of you are friends with a student who is related to one of those who died,” King said.

He promised the students that there would be counsellors available to assist them in this difficult period, as both the school and the wider Clare Valley community seek ways and means to come to terms with the tragedy.

King further pledged the support of the Ministry of Education during this period of grief and urged the students not forsake their studies as those who died would want them to do well at school.

Senior Education Officer, Mavis Findlay-Joseph who also formed part of the visiting team echoed the sentiments of the minister.

And, coordinator for Student Support Services, Jasmine Creese another member of the visiting delegation and other counsellors thereafter began identifying students affected by Sunday’s tragedy to offer them the emotional support needed.

Principal of the Clare Valley Government School, Desiree Wilson was pleased with the visit and indicated that all possible assistance was needed to help both students and teachers cope with the outcome of Sunday’s accident which claimed the lives of persons who are well known in the community.