Nigel Eames, a teacher at Paparoa Street School, took a group of children to Christchurch Art Gallery on the morning of the earthquake to learn about portraits.

'Under instruction, my group made beautiful self-portraits. Of course we were oblivious to what awaited us on our return to school,' Mr Eames said.

'These portraits now have real significance as the children captured their image on the morning before everything changed for us in Canterbury.

'I wanted to help them recognise the importance of this and ensure the pictures would be something they could treasure for their own families.'

Mr Eames has connected the Art Gallery's Maori name, Te Puna o Waiwhetū, which means 'the wellspring of star-reflecting waters' to a Royal New Zealand Air Force motto 'Through adversity to the stars'.

'I wanted to make a connection for the children, perhaps more simply as meaning 'onwards and upwards',' he said.

'A recognition of what has happened but a commitment to stay strong.'

Mr Eames hoped the pictures, which will be mounted on wood with names, ages and date recorded, would act as a record and a reminder to 'reach for the stars.'

This article was first published in the Mainland Press on Wednesday, 20 April 2011.