Grammar School Closed

[Malky]

I'm informed by my daughter that the school is currently closed after the water tank on the roof burst this morning. The school has been flooded and there's a lot of damage as would be expected. I hope they're well insured.

Malky

[wee yin]

does anyone know how long it will be closed for?
and what are the damages?

[sahara]

yeah its to be closed tomorrow as well, probably longer, more details to be given tomorrow

[Mary G]

That must be awful for the families/ parents. At least it didn't happen at exam time, but it is odd that it occurred at the start of the new session.

I think that this will be another call on the Council's contingency fund; many public authorities organise themselves in this way rather than take out insurance.

[wee yin]

ive been told that the english deparment has just been done up, does this have somthing to do with it?

[whacko]

ive been told that the english deparment has just been done up, does this have somthing to do with it?

I think they were doing a lot of re-wiring over the holiday. An ideal opportunity to give the place a good looking over, eh? That takes proactive thinking though.

[Govangirl]

That must be awful for the families/ parents.

But the kids must be over the moon?

[WC1]

Ah the rumour mill in action!

CGS had to close today because the main water supply tank suffered a major burst. This had nothing to do with work done over the summer in the English department (English is on the ground floor of the north block; the water tank is on the roof of the south block) or with any of the other work done in other areas of the school. In fact, damage is NOT extensive and no classrooms are affected. Obviously, with the water off and the fire brigade pumping the water out of the damaged tank, the school could not stay open today.

Work has already started to restore the water supply, dry out the electrical wiring where it was affected by the burst and to clean up generally. Much of this won't be completed until some time on Friday. Consequently the school will be closed on Friday. A text message has gone out to parents to this effect (we're having to do this from Castlehill Primary as our computer system is temporarily 'down') announcements have been made on Argyll FM and information is on the school website (http://www.campbeltowngrammar.org.uk). The same methods will be used to send out further information on Friday afternoon. It is confidently expected that the school will re-open on Monday.

Finally, as Whacko should be aware, the school has been subject to extensive survey work in the recent past and a great deal of 'pro-active thinking' has gone into planning a major programme of repairs and renovations. The works carried out this summer and planned for the October holiday period are just the start of the process of putting that pro-active thinking into practice.

[Mary G]

Very helpful, WC1!

It is really good to get such detailed, clear communication, delivery promptly and unambiguously. You obviously have experience of the rumour filling the vacuum that would otherwise exist

[sahara]

rumors, terrieble things!

[Kintyre Forum News]

Thanks for the update WC1 - much appreciated.

A text message has gone out to parents to this effect (we're having to do this from Castlehill Primary as our computer system is temporarily 'down') announcements have been made on Argyll FM and information is on the school website (http://www.campbeltowngrammar.org.uk). The same methods will be used to send out further information on Friday afternoon.

If you could also post an update on here this would be much appreciated.

[whacko]

Finally, as Whacko should be aware, the school has been subject to extensive survey work in the recent past and a great deal of 'pro-active thinking' has gone into planning a major programme of repairs and renovations. The works carried out this summer and planned for the October holiday period are just the start of the process of putting that pro-active thinking into practice.

No amount of planning can make up for a man with a functioning pair of eyes, Bill, and water tanks don't usually burst without giving some signs afore the event.

As others have said, it's good to see such a rapid and concise statement and I'm pleased to learn the school will be open again on Monday.

[petewick]

My sources tell me that it could have been avoided.

[dr-sanchez]

i would be in great order if i was still in the school!

[WC1]

Sticking to fact rather than innuendo, and in response to the request by Kintyre Forum News to post an update:-

CGS will re-open on Monday 25 August at 9.00 am.

or depending on your point of view!

Grateful thanks to the following for their help and support in getting the school through the emergency and back to work:-

Our local firemen for their prompt arrival on the scene, their efficiency in pumping out the surplus water and for their sterling efforts in getting the clean-up under way.

The local Police for their assistance marshalling traffic around the school.

Danny Halliday and the team at West Coast Motors for putting on school buses to the rural areas after the evacuation of the buildings.

John McCrank, our Property Officer, for swiftly organising the repair operation.

Willie Livingstone and the team from Livingstone & McEachran, Archie Smith and his team of electricians, and Neil McCormick, engineer, for their speedy and effective work to restore water and power supplies.

Neil McKnight and Richard Egan for getting the computer system back up and running on Friday afternoon.

The CGS janitorial and cleaning staff for rising superbly to such a major challenge.

Joan Stewart, Catherine Anne Macaulay and all the CGS office staff who did so much to maintain communication with parents (and preserve my sanity) and David Roberts for keeping the information on the school website up-to-date.

Miss Anne Littleson for allowing us to use the office facilities of Castlehill Primary when our own were temporarily unavailable.

All that remains now is to get myself some better sources and book an eye test.