Worried pupils return to school following Alex Fisher's death

Alex Fisher's schoolmates returned to class today. Photo: Facebook

Alex Fisher's schoolmates returned to class today following the boy's disappearance and death.

As they arrived at Ohau school, just off State Highway 1 south of Levin, they were met by three men - parents with children at the school - at the gate.

"We just want to get through the day," said one.

"Our priority is the children."

Some pupils at the small school of about 200 played on the basketball court before the morning bell rang.

Others though are worried about the events of the last week - both Alex's death and the revelation that police think a burglary at Waitarere Beach could be of interest to their inquiry.

Maria Lyne, a teacher from Levin's St Joseph's School, viewing candle-light paper bags during the vigil for Alex Fisher. Photo / Mark Mitchell

"She's a bit worried at the moment because someone has killed her classmate," said a man whose daughter goes to the school.

"For two days now we've had her sleeping on a mattress in the lounge," he said.

"She's under the impression that the person who robbed the house will maybe come back and rob another house."

The man's daughter was in Alex's class.

The man's son also attends the school, but was in a different class.

"It has affected them. My daughter's going to the funeral tomorrow. Her and Alex used to share homework.

"It's really sad."

The man hadn't heard from the school if anything was planned today.

When phoned, a woman at the school declined to comment.

The site on Waitarere beach where the body of Alex Fisher was found. Photo / John Weekes

Last week principal Kathy Trevena-Brown released a statement, recalling Alex's enjoyment of kapa haka, softball, basketball and water polo.

She said the school had "lost a lovely member of our family".

"Alex was a delightful student who did find some aspects of school life challenging, but he was up for it."

The school was "so proud of him", she said.

A Ministry of Education traumatic incident team was at the school last week.

Ministry head of sector support and enablement Katrina Casey said the team met with staff to "ensure they felt confident to support children as they returned to school today".

"We will be back at the school if needed."

Such teams are drawn from the Ministry's regional offices.

"The team's role is to help the school return to its normal day to day routines.

"The team talk to staff, the principal and board members. They brief staff on how students may respond to this difficult event and how to get access to additional specialist psychological support if it's needed for any individual students or staff members," Ms Casey said.

"The support is there for as long as a school needs it."

A school could also request resources such as relief teachers to free up staff to support those who needed it.