Wesburn Primary students Nikkita and Sarah say thieves have ruined their hard work.By Kath Gannaway
“YOU should be ashamed,” say two Wesburn Primary School students who have called on thieves who stole 18 roses from the school to fess up.
In letters to the Mail, Nikkita and Sarah said they were disappointed that someone could destroy something which the whole community was proud of.
The roses were among 75 planted last year along a new retaining wall in Wylie Street.
School principal Anne Stenhouse said the roses were pulled out by the roots sometime over the weekend of 31 May-1June.
She said a lot of hard work had gone into fundraising for the project, setting up the landscaping work and taking care of the roses over a long, hot summer.
“We planted the roses in August and the kids have been looking after them, watering them with water collected in ice-cream containers under the drinking taps,” she said.
Sarah said she was disappointed that someone would steal from their school.
“I feel a lot of hard work has gone to waste,” she said.
Nikkita wants the thieves to face the music – or worse … the principal.
“I would like the people who have hurt every student at Wesburn Primary School to come to our school and tell Mrs Sten (sic), our principal, why you have done this,” she said.
Fortunately, their faith in human nature has not been completely undermined by the thieves.
“Luckily, we have some good Samaritans in the community called Country Gardeners Nursery,” Nikkita said.
“They are donating 20 new roses.”
Mrs Stenhouse said the rose display was planted in the school colours of maroon and white.
“We suspect because they were removed entirely and there were no signs of any other vandalism that they have been stolen to re-sell, possibly at a market.”
Security at the school has been increased because of the theft.
