Havelock North school holds peace vigil

Classes at Woodford House girls' school stopped for a short time yesterday to start a worldwide school peace vigil against war on Iraq.

At 3pm, the third day of the third month in 2003, the school's chapel bell rang three times before a three-minute prayer for peace was held.

A letter to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, written by three pupils questioning his ideas on war, was then read out and the rest of the school had the chance to sign it before it was emailed to him. Head of English Matt Brebner, co-ordinating the peace observation, understood schools in the South Island, England and Australia were taking part.