Schoolmates of two of the children who died in Sanson on Saturday have been left with little support, a guardian says.
August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1, were killed in a fire over the weekend, which police are investigating as a homicide. Their father, Dean Field, was also found dead at the scene.
Mount Biggs School in Feilding, which August and Hugo attended, sent out a letter to caregivers yesterday saying that while it was still under investigation, “we do understand that two Mt Biggs pupils died in a tragic event on Saturday afternoon”.
“We will not have any further information until the coroner’s official report. Our hearts go out to the family that has been affected by this tragedy,” the letter said.
“Your children may have lots of questions around this. We have attached a resource that we received today from the MoE [Ministry of Education] Crisis Team that contains helpful information about ways you can support your children at home, as we are doing at school.
“We appreciate what a huge impact this has had on us all as parents, caregivers, staff and the board. Please ensure you take care of yourselves and those around you.”
Other communications from the school advised the school’s board of trustees (BOT) had met with the Crisis Response Team and the police, and were working through the “unprecedented situation” with the Field family “front of mind”.
As a school community, they knew everyone would continue to support and care for each other, the email said.
“The MoE Crisis Team has advised us that the best support you can offer your child/ren in the immediate future is to provide reassurance that they are safe and keep routine as normal as possible. School this week will continue as usual. This is the best way we can support our tamariki [children], through routine and structure.”
One guardian, who wished to be anonymous, told the Herald that parents had been “left to support these young children through this trauma”.
The person shared a four-page document that had been sent to caregivers outlining ways to support children experiencing trauma.
“Is this all the support children of New Zealand get from the ministry following the tragic death of two students?” the person questioned.
“Is this appropriate? A lot of the children who attend the school saw the housefire, smelled the smoke ... a very basic sheet is all the support the children get.”
The person felt the focus was on supporting the staff and board, and that there was little focus on the children.
“Teachers will not speak on the topic to the children. It’s silent ... No support for the children, oh, this just breaks my heart.”
A further email was sent to parents today with more tips on how to support children in the aftermath of the tragedy.
It advised the best support for children at this stage was to talk with parents, familiar adults and teachers. The board said if teachers identified any children who didn’t appear to be coping, they would inform the principal who would contact parents.
When contacted by the Herald, the school said it was unable to comment and that “our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and wider community at this exceptionally tough time”.
The Ministry of Education deputy secretary for the central district, Jocelyn Mikaere, said the ministry’s traumatic incident team was actively supporting the school and would remain available “for as long as they are needed”.
“Our thoughts are with the whānau and wider community during this incredibly sad and challenging time,” she said.
Police yesterday confirmed they had opened a homicide investigation after the Sanson home went up in flames.
Manawatū’s area commander, Inspector Ross Grantham, said he wanted to reassure the community that police are not seeking anybody else in relation to the investigation.
“A forensic examination of the scene is ongoing, and it will take some time to get the results once that examination has been completed,” Grantham said.
“A team of police staff are working hard to get answers for the family, but I want to stress to the public that we will not have these answers immediately,” he said.
Police are asking for anybody who may have information on Saturday’s incident to come forward.
Grantham said police will officially release the identities of the people who died and any family-approved images when they are in a position to do so.
Friends of the children’s mother, Chelsey Field, set up a Givealittle donation page for her on Sunday to create a “safety net for her” and to “provide her with the space and security needed to grieve in solitude, without the added stress of financial ruin”.
That Givealittle page has so far raised more than $333,000 from 8700-plus donors.
The page’s creator, Danni Hullett, thanked donors in a message on Monday “for the outpour[ing] of such immediate generous financial support, the beautiful messages of love, thoughts and prayers and the community spirit that you all have created for our friend”.
“No amount of money will ever be enough to heal the wounds left in her heart and soul, but to have this safety net to rebuild her life, knowing what feels like the whole of Aotearoa is with her and how you have all contributed to this outpouring of love in so many ways is more than we could’ve ever hoped for,” Hullett wrote.
Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice, and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 12 years.