PADANG , Indonesia ( CNN ) -- The first school assembly since the earthquake was charged with emotion and grief . Students gather for the emotional assembly at their school in Padang , Indonesia . Students at SMA1 High School in Padang have been arriving amid the ruins of their classrooms hoping life will get back to normal quickly . They still do n't know how many pupils were victims of the earthquake . Only half the 800 students turned up Monday . But there was a gasp of shock as the vice principal informed them that one member of staff had been killed in the quake . As prayers and a lament were sung in the yard , the emotion was too much for one teacher who fainted and was carried away . Many students have stories of narrow escapes and cheating death by seconds . Haria Fitri told me she was taking a shower when suddenly the bathroom started shaking violently . She grabbed a towel and ran downstairs and jumped out of a window , just as her house collapsed behind her . Many are clearly traumatized by what happened , mentioning how scared they are that another quake will again turn their world upside down . The teachers too seem stunned by what 's happened . Most of the classrooms here are full of rubble and lessons are now being conducted in a tent outside , provided by United Nations Children 's Fund , or UNICEF . 17-year-old student Harris Putrareza , said : `` When I see my school , very big destruction , I get a little sad , but I am very happy to be back to my school . '' The school 's English teacher , a warm , animated woman called Gustina said : `` They feel very sad , they ca n't control their emotions , what pity our school is broken . '' In some ways the very spirit of the school has been damaged . It was built in 1917 during the Dutch colonial period and has survived numerous earthquakes down the years . But this one ripped the place apart , leaving mountains of red bricks lying on the desks and huge gaping holes in the ceiling . One building is simply too dangerous to enter and may have to be torn down . Everywhere there are little reminders of the day the earth shook so violently : the trophy cabinet full of toppled sports awards , the covered walkways choked with smashed stone pillars . The senior students are already wondering how they will cope when it comes to their important mid-term exams next week . The principal has announced a postponement , while they find a suitable room . Slowly the students at this highly-acclaimed school will refocus on their studies , but no one will forget that day at the end of September when everything changed in Padang .
Death toll from 608 powerful earthquakes that struck Indonesia has risen to 608 . 1000 are still missing officially , although the number could be closer to 608 . Students at SMA1 High School in Indonesia said prayers for dead and missing . Many students have stories of narrow escapes and cheating death by seconds .