Headmaster’s nerve-racking ordeal ends

Batlile Phaladi

Father Angus Paterson, headmaster of St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Pretoria, watched with relief as the 18 pupils who were stuck in Nepal after the devastating earthquake last Saturday walked through the doors of the arrival terminal at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.

They had an emotional reunion with parents, family members and friends after not being able to speak for two weeks as the girls did not take cellphones on the trip.

Paterson said even though he had received an update about the girls’ safety every six hours after the quake, he wanted them to come home.

“I have been so restless, my phone was ringing all the time because parents needed updates as well.

“So seeing them now means I can sleep, I can rest,” he said.

Paterson said when he fi rst saw the news of the earthquake in Nepal last Saturday, he was at a wedding and his day was turned upside down.

“My day was ruined,” he said. “I was so anxious, I did not know what to do.”

Paterson thanked the World Challenge team and the Gift of the Givers organisation for ensuring parents were kept updated about their children’s whereabouts and safety regularly and efficiently.

“I do not know what I would have done without the World Challenge team,” said the headmaster.

“They helped me to comfort and calm the parents.

“It must have been terrifying for them, especially the fact that every time you watched the news, it was about Nepal and the number of deaths.”

The girls will be back at school on Monday.