Mount Maunganui Intermediate will be closed today after a tornado ripped through the area last night.
Principal Lisa Morresey said she was glad her team had made the call to close the school late last night.
"It's just heartbreaking really," said Mrs Morresey
"We've had quite a bit of damage."
Mrs Morresey said the school grounds were a mess from debris and a trampoline had gone through a window.
Read more:
•Fire services busy overnight
•Mini tornado hits Mount
A refurbished turf the school had been working towards for five years was also ruined.
Mrs Morresey said the school's own weather station measured a wind speed of 173km/hr.
"We're just lucky because it could have been worse." said Mrs Morresey.
Mount Maunganui College will be open today.
Here are some photos of the destruction at Mount Maunganui Intermediate