THE sad and shocking events in America have prompted schools across the region to remember those who died in many different ways.

Many observed the minutes of silence yesterday, and some pupils have been moved to organise their own acts of remembrance.

Gordon Rusk, head teacher of Carr Junior School in Acomb, said the school had held a minute's silence during their Friday morning assembly.

"The children have been very quiet about it and it is something that has shocked them. Some have said it's just like a film. We tried to talk about it through the assembly."

Three girls at the school - Sian Dixon, nine, Hayley Gilbank, ten, and Laurie Alexander, nine - were prompted to organise a toy sale to raise money to help the recovery in America.

Another pupil, Lauren Horsman, nine, said she had been "really sad and upset" when she had seen the TV coverage on Tuesday. Matthew Cook, also nine, said: "I was shocked by it. They are quite a rich country and you didn't think it would happen to them."

They were also worried that this might mean the start of World War Three - Erin Meikle, nine, said: "I hope they won't make a war."

At St George's RC Primary School in Fishergate, York, deputy head Anne Crawford said prayers had been said every day since the attack.

"We joined in a lovely song called The Circle Song about healing and we all joined in hands in a circle and sent out prayers to America," she said.

"We've encouraged them to talk about it and they're very saddened but we've also talked about the good things they are glad about, about hope, and we lit a candle as a symbol of hope.

"In my class, we also said prayers for the terrorists that they would change their hearts and find some peace themselves."

At Fulford School, the school came to a standstill at 11am for the three- minutes' silence yesterday. And three sixth-formers - Tom Longfield, Helen Keeble and Jonathan Hicks - got together to start a collection and a book of condolences which was open all day. Head teacher Stephen Smith said: "Students have been signing it all day."

Updated: 10:45 Saturday, September 15, 2001