ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Culture
DAD’S ARK
A state of emergency across Christchurch proved no match for one determined Rangi Ruru Girls’ School student this morning, who refused to let a “bit of puddle” ruin her education—or her aesthetic.
With Canterbury’s wild weather turning the streets of Tai Tapu into tributaries and Selwyn into a soggy Venice, 15-year-old Ruby Whiting of Merivale proved that resilience runs deep in the privileged.
“Ugh, Dad’s Jaguar was obviously no use this morning,” said Whiting, rolling her eyes and gesturing toward the luxury car now floating slowly past their letterbox.
“So we just used the family boat we normally take to our bach in Kaiteriteri during the summer break, but with today’s flooding, may as well get it out a few months early!”
Meanwhile, Ruby’s younger sister, Sophie, 11, had already made waves—literally—having commandeered the family jet ski and shot off toward her primary school at speeds that would breach any 5-knot zone.
Ruby, dressed in full regulation blazer, boat shoes, and a tightly knotted school tie (“It’s important to maintain standards, even during natural disasters,” she noted), was one of several Rangi students spotted navigating their way to school this morning via family watercraft.
“My friend India texted and said she was taking their family’s inflatable yacht because the kayak was ‘too pedestrian,’” Ruby explained, rolling her eyes. “Like, imagine turning up in a kayak. People talk.” she said in disgust.
At the time of reporting, the Christchurch City Council continued to advise residents to stay home unless travel was essential. However, sources close to Rangi Ruru confirm that today’s Year 11 Latin test was deemed “absolutely essential,” even if students had to arrive by naval convoy.
More to come.
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