Students in Hong Kong schools will next week be remembering the victims of the Beslan school hostage tragedy, having joined the world in horror after 336 people, many of them children, lost their lives in the Russian city. A group of international school principals and teachers are suggesting that schools remember with 'silence, sympathy and support' next Friday, although some schools have already responded. Schools are being invited to raise funds for the International Red Cross' Beslan appeal launched this week. It aims to raise US$680,000 for the Russian Red Cross, to finance psychological support and physical rehabilitation programmes for 2,000 people over the next 12 months. Doug Anderson, principal of Think International School, has been co-ordinating the response. 'Last weekend, I sat watching the BBC. It brought me to tears to see what was happening to children and families,' he said. 'Sometimes we don't seem to be in touch with families in other parts of the world. Part of our responsibilities as educators and adults is to try to keep children informed and to reach out to those who need support.' He hopes that both international and local schools will respond. Maria Lunney, a guidance councillor at Phoenix International School, said the victims could be remembered during assemblies while students would be encouraged to make cards or write messages to be sent to those in Beslan left grieving and injured as a result of the 53-hour siege in Middle School Number One. The Consulate General of the Russian Federation has agreed to forward all messages from Hong Kong schools. Chris Forse, the English Schools Foundation's management support executive, said all its schools had been contacted about the memorial day and most principals were ready to support it. The German Swiss International School is also responding. 'We will first dedicate time to thoroughly discuss the incident with our students, so they can develop a genuine understanding,' said Maja Vandre, communication officer. The minute's silence will be observed and students informed of the Red Cross appeal. A book of condolences will be prepared. Meanwhile, second-year students at Li Po Chun United World College created a memorial corner and asked new first years to observe a minute's silence before their welcoming ceremony this week. Marcela Palau, 18, from Colombia, who organised the memorial, said: 'These were people like us, the same age as us. It is just not fair. We had to do something.' Several other schools, including Kennedy School in Pokfulam, have held a minute's silence this week. The Red Cross in Hong Kong will forward funds to the Russian branch. Schools that would like to participate in the memorial day can contact Mr Anderson on 9102 6599. For information about the International Red Cross appeal visit www.ifrc.org
