No date set for kids to return to school
STORM-HIT YSGOL RHOSGADFAN’S CLASSES WILL BE TAUGHT IN VILLAGE FOOTBALL CLUB
PUPILS will not be returning to a storm-wrecked primary school in time for the new term this week but will still be taught in their village.
Ysgol Rhosgadfan classes will be held in a nearby football club function room and a heritage centre while repairs are carried out to the school’s roof, which was ripped off by a “tornado” when Storm Barbara winds tore through the village near Caernarfon.
Younger pupils will be taught at Mountain Rangers FC, while arrangements are being made for older pupils to be moved to the Cae’r Gors educational centre.
School and council officials are hopeful that both venues will be ready to host lessons as early as Thursday for the 50 or so pupils, but there is no indication as to when the school itself will reopen.
Headteacher Paul Carr said: “The damage caused to parts of the school last Friday was quite frightening, but I’d like to express our thanks and appreciation as a school to everyone who has offered their help over the past few days.
“On the day of the storm itself and since then, the help and support offered has been so overwhelming.
“We’re extremely grateful to the officers and committee of the Mountain Rangers football club for offering the function room as a home for the foundation phase until temporary classrooms will be available while the repair work is carried out.
“In addition, we’re hugely thankful to Cadw for their cooperation in allowing the use of the auditorium at Cae’r Gors for our older pupils.
“This whole thing has shown the community spirit that is alive and well in Rhosgadfan, and we’re grateful that we’ll be able to ensure pupils return to their lessons quickly in the new year.
“Our aim is that the pupils will be able to return to classes on Thursday, and we will be updating parents with all arrangements.”
Gwynedd council leader Dyfed Edwards also paid tribute to those who have come forward to help the school in its hour of need.
School governor Richard Moore told the Daily Post it could cost £100,000 to repair the damage.
The gusts brought by Storm Barbara swept through Rhosgadfan at around 2pm on December 23, leaving a huge hole in the roof with trusses visible and bits of insulation flapping in the wind.
The gusts also uprooted trees and blew slates off the roofs of a number of properties in the village.
An assessment is now underway to determine the exact nature of the repair work required.