Hawera Intermediate principal, Craig Simpson, says a good cry in Manaia helped as he made the drive from his home in Opunake on Tuesday morning on hearing the news of the fire which has destroyed much of the school.
By the time he arrived the fire was still blazing, and staff and community members were already on site. He says the school has probably lost three quarters of its buildings including classrooms, the library and the hall.
"Thank goodness the admin block is ok."
Board of trustees chair, Mark Crawshaw, says the school community is devastated by the fire. He and Craig are both heartened by the immediate outpouring of support from the community, including the offering of temporary classrooms from other schools. Craig says they hope to have students back in lessons by the end of this week.
Craig and Mark were due to meet with representatives from the Ministry of Education on Tuesday to discuss building options as well as trauma support for staff and pupils. "Schools are emotional places," said Craig, and pupils will be understandably upset by the fire in their school.