A primary school in Wellington has indefinitely closed a considerable number of its classrooms after engineering assessments found its main block to be significantly earthquake prone.
Although Newtown School’s main block has not been red-stickered, it was found to be well below the building code standards and the Ministry of Education ordered the closure of the building.
The Ministry of Education’s general property manager Kim Shannon says there is no imminent risk to students but the building was “significantly earthquake prone”.
Newtown School board of trustees chairperson Matthew Stone says they made the decision at an emergency meeting last night.
“Obviously this is a big shock for the school. We are a close knit community, we work hard for our students, our staff are dedicated and our families are closely integrated into the school life,” he says.
“Safety obviously has to be a top priority, but we'll be doing everything we can to ensure this event won't compromise our commitment to student learning.”
Displaced students have been accommodated in the school hall and nearby school St Ann’s has allowed the school to use their hall until the end of the week.
The school and the Ministry did not comment on the fate of the building.
3 News