ONE month after devastating floods ripped through Telegraph Point, demountable classrooms have arrived in the first steps to repair the village's historic school.
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Days after the floodwaters subsided, the Department of Education stepped in and launched a major clean-up program while temporarily relocating the school's kindergarten to year 6 students to Hastings Secondary College's Westport campus.
Telegraph Point School has been a mainstay in the village for 145 years.
Principal Duncan Adams praised the community and education department's support in transitioning the school to a new location with minimal disruption.
In one weekend, six purpose-built classrooms were created at the Westport campus.
All students travel together into town each morning with Busways and have access to the Westport Public School playground for outdoor activities.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams said the clean-up at the Telegraph Point school site is extensive but the aim is to have students back in the demountable classrooms by May.
"Cleaning up and making the site safe is a priority with work continuing with the installation of a number of demountable classrooms, demolition and electrical work, asbestos removal and playground restoration," Mrs Williams said.
"Extensive works are also being undertaken to reinstate all permanent buildings which will take some time to complete with all internal walls, floors and ceiling linings to be removed, replaced or repaired and then repainted.
"The grounds of the school will also be extensively cleaned including the playground, clean out of all drainage and the reconstruction of fencing.
"While these rehabilitation works across the site are expected to continue until mid-September, the demountable classrooms will be progressively commissioned with a view to having students recommencing back at Telegraph Point Public School on Monday, May 3."
Westport campus principal Ian Ross said in the midst of the flood crisis, the strength of the public school community shines through.
"This creates a unique opportunity where the two schools can work together on kindergarten to year 12 teaching and learning and deepen our relationship with our Hastings Valley Community of Schools community," he said.
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