Students bury time capsule in Victoria Square

Students have buried a time capsule in Victoria Square to mark the end of its multi-million dollar restoration.

The time capsule was put together by seven and eight-year-old students from The Cathedral Grammar School and will be opened for the school’s bicentenary in May 2081.

Students from Cathedral Grammar School help bury the time capsule in Victoria Square.

“These young people spend a lot of time in an ever-changing central city so we hope this time capsule helps them develop a connection to Victoria Square, as a place that will be the same for a long time,” says Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive Albert Brantley.

Teacher Clare Erasmus says the children were thoroughly excited to be involved in developing the time capsule.

“They decided to include items that were popular and relevant in their lives now. They wrote stories about themselves and how life is for them in this day and age. A time capsule is something children usually read about. To be a part of such an auspicious moment has been a wonderful memory for them to create,” she says.

Fellow teacher Brigid Ladley says a toy owl – a class mascot – and a cellphone are among the items students chose to put in the time capsule.

“The class had to repeatedly freeze items to reduce the bacteria before they went in the capsule. It was a fascinating process for the students,” Ms Ladley says.

Mr Brantley says items related to the restoration of Victoria Square have also been included in the time capsule.

“Photos of the restoration work and the people who carried it out have been printed on special archival paper and put in the time capsule. We hope whoever opens the time capsule will be able to appreciate how important this space was in Christchurch’s regeneration.''