By Amanda Durry  September 7 2010

Mid Canterbury teachers and pupils are used to studying about earthquakes and what to do if one should happen.

They are not used to one actually happening and having to put their knowledge to the test.

But that's exactly what happened on Saturday morning, when a 7.1 earthquake hit the Canterbury area.

While all schools in the Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn districts remain closed, Mid Canterbury pupils headed back to school yesterday full of tales of their own.

The earthquake was the topic of choice for much of the morning at schools throughout the district, with most principals giving the ok for discussion and even practice drills.

At Methven Primary School, senior school pupils had been studying a disaster unit and had been reviewing the school's earthquake safety management plan as part of the unit.

Principal Graham Smith said those children would have known what to do and it now gave them a very real experience to study.

"Things like this are often a lot scarier for children so we've spent time talking it through and encouraging them to share their experiences.

"It doesn't take away the fear that some of these children still have, but at the end of the day we just have to get on with it," he said.

Each individual classroom was also planning a practice drill for some time during the school day.

He was also happy to report no damage to the school.

Rakaia School was closer to the epicenter of the earthquake and also got away without any damage.

Principal Mark Ellis said he had spent time on Sunday checking the site with members of the board of trustees.

He was pleased the Ministry of Education had put together resources for schools in dealing with the situation and offering advice.

"The earthquake is a huge talking point for the students so I spent time yesterday morning visiting each classroom and just talking about what happened. I also spoke to staff about letting the children tell stories about what happened to them," he said.

Chertsey School pupils were also vocal about their experiences and principal Mathew Thompson said further questions would no doubt come during science class.

Mr Thompson and his family, including his two young children, were some of the people getting a few extra items on Saturday morning for a survival pack and believes people were well prepared.

"I think the big snow a few years ago made people realise the importance of being prepared so I think most people would have emergency supplies. It's definitely a wake-up call for people though," he said.