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Ferndale student Matthew - Source: ONE News -
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A Christchurch special needs school is coming to terms with the shock of being burgled, just days after the massive earthquake that hit the Canterbury region.
Ferndale School in Merivale, which looks after high-needs children aged 5 to 21 - suffered major structural damage in Saturday's quake, and now the school's suffering further, after being burgled overnight.
Specialist equipment worth at least least $10,000 has been stripped from the classrooms, in a building which had been declared structurally unsound.
"They are at their wits' end, then suddenly some scumbag breaks into the school and robs everything," said one student's father, Clive Teague.
Board of Trustees chairwoman Jackie Morris said laptops, digital video cameras and digital still cameras have been taken. She said the equipment was expensive and vital in the school's assessment of students.
"Why would you actually take from the most vulnerable in society?" she asked.
"It's one thing we didn't need."
Ferndale student Matthew is severely autistic and brain damaged. His mother told ONE News he was still coming to terms with the shock of the quake and that this latest shock is the last thing he needed.
"He got incredibly upset, started banging in the car hitting his head, getting very distressed."
Despite everything that police are dealing with in Christchurch, they have given high priority to catching who committed the crime.
It is likely the school won't be able to open until next Thursday.
More information is available on the Ministry of Education website .
