Pupils send cards to families of trapped miners | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

Tauranga schools are sending thoughts and prayers to the Greymouth community waiting for news from the men trapped in the Pike River mine in the hope "they'll feel stronger," says student Olivia Hooper.

The 10-year-old is one of a class of students at Seventh-day Adventist School, who have written cards to the miners' families. Addressed to Pike River Mine and sent last night, the colourful hand-made cards include individual messages from that the students say were hard to write.

"You didn't want to be too sudden," 10-year-old Caleb Woodbine said. "It was hard to find the right words. They must be really worried."

He wrote: "I am sorry... I hope they return. I know it is a huge tragedy... but I am thinking of you."

Like the rest of the country, the children have been watching the news unfold in Greymouth.

Michelle Zengenene, 12, said she hoped anxious parents, children and partners would find "peace" in their messages of hope.

Schools throughout the Bay are doing their bit to ease heartache and show support.

Aquinas College were today holding a special public mass.

The mass, run by Year 7 and 8 students in the school chapel, was to be open to their local parish communities. The school is also sending morning tea to John Paul II High School and St Patrick's Primary School in Greymouth.

Staff at Aquinas College and Bethlehem College have been praying in their daily staff devotions and at St Mary's School, a liturgy was held on Monday.

Aquinas College teacher Trish O'Regan is connected to the tragedy more than most.

She and her husband both have five siblings each on the West Coast and Mrs O'Regan's nephew Tim Fagan, who is in his 40s, narrowly missed being in the mine when the explosion occurred.

"He took a week off for cup week and decided to take another one off after that. Otherwise he would have been down there... he's taking it pretty badly."

Mr Fagan's step-son Regan, 18, was also meant to be working in the mine but after a night out on the town on Thursday didn't make it to work on the day of the explosion.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson and Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby are both writing to Grey District Council Mayor Tony Kokshoorn to pass on the goodwill of Western Bay residents.

TELL US: What has your school/business been doing to support the Pike River miners?