St Margaret's College is preparing for the return of 26 schoolgirls stranded in Nepal when the earthquake struck.

The students returned to Christchurch on Friday after almost a month in Nepal where they were working to built a new school.

Principal Gillian Simpson says attention is now turning to how they can help the girls readjust to being back at school.

"We've got these very small pastoral care tutor groups in the school, so they'll be meeting with those tutors every day and they will have a better idea than anybody as to what they need."

Simpson says every girl will react differently, and they may need support at different times.

The girls have been offered the day off today as they try and readjust to being back in New Zealand.