School shut for weeks

Cosgrove High teens charged

COSGROVE High School will be closed for at least two weeks and its students will study at a nearby college after fire destroyed classrooms causing an estimated $ 2m in damages.

A 15- year- old male and a 17year old female were on Monday charged by police with arson relating to the high school blaze, which broke out about 8pm on Saturday.

The fire destroyed the school’s B block, which housed five Years 9 and 10 classrooms and staff offices.

Most of the active burning occurred in the office area then through the roof, however the whole block is smoke and water affected.

Fire investigations, which determined the fire to be deliberately lit, estimated damage to buildings and contents to be up to $ 2m.

The state’s Education Department said the school would be closed for two weeks while substantial safety work was undertaken.

From Thursday, students will attend Claremont College for at least two weeks.

If it is considered safe to do so, Cosgrove High could reopen before then, an Education spokesman said.

“The school has worked quickly to ensure that the impact on student learning is as reduced as possible,” an Education spokesman said.

“They will continue to communicate with the school community as they work towards returning students back to the Cosgrove High School site.

“The school has been overwhelmed by the community support following the fire, and would also like to acknowledge the support provided by staff at Claremont College.”

Cosgrove High staff will also relocate with the students to the college.

Planning is under way to ensure end of school year celebrations can still go ahead.

Public schools are due to finish Term 4 on December 17.