Halswell School badly damaged by quake

DAVE HALLETT

SCHOOL JOLTED: Halswell School Principal Bruce Topham looks at the damage.

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Halswell School's 630 pupils are yet to find out when they can return to school after a number of classrooms were severely damaged in the earthquake.

Principal Bruce Topham toured  the property this morning with structural engineer Malcolm Freeman before a visit from Education Minister Anne Tolley.

He  said there was significant structural damage to five of the school's 26 classrooms, the staff room, library and hall. He hoped to be able to reopen with relocatable classrooms, but was unsure when that could happen.

The school's sewage, water and power were yet to be checked.

Topham said it was sad to see his school in such a state but he was "getting on with it'' and trying to have it reopened as soon as possible.

- © Fairfax NZ News