School closes due to rain

Otumoetai College is closing at 1.30pm today due to extremely wet weather, says the school.

A phone message at the school says bus students will be accommodated inside the school until they leave at their scheduled times.

The co-educational school caters for those Year 9-Year 13, with a roll for 2014 of more than 2000 students.

A school spokesperson has confirmed to SunLive the school is closing at 1.30pm due to heavy rain.

'We're just looking after the kids; they're just absolutely drenched.

'It's been absolutely really heavy rain. But it comes in spurts; heavy, then it's alright, heavy, then it's alright – so it still really wet.”

For students who cannot get home early the school will stay open and those students supervised until the buses arrive at 3.20pm

'They will stay here and we will take care of them in the PAC – the big school hall.”

Waikato University has also cancelled its city graduation parade through the streets of Tauranga due to heavy rain.

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10 comments

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Posted on 11-04-2014 13:42 | By NZgirl

The weather has been bad today but I don't see the other schools closing early. Surely if the rain is that bad the kids shouldn't be outside anyway. Seems like an excuse for the teachers to knock off early.


Pathetic

Posted on 11-04-2014 17:39 | By Johnney

Pandering to dumb students who don't get dressed properly for the wet weather or dumb parents who don't provide the necessary wet weather gear. So when these kids grow up they will also make dumb decisions for their kids.


.

Posted on 11-04-2014 19:49 | By paullyh

The school was actually closed due to flooding, not for the teachers or the students to have an early day. I would prefer my children at home dry than wading in water between classes, or being risked with the potential backup of drains and sewer systems. Just saying :)


There was flooding..

Posted on 11-04-2014 20:24 | By Hannahbell

What this report fails to add, is that the grounds were flooded. My daughter took some photos, and there was water very close to going into some classes. There was also no way for the kids to get to classes without wading through mid shin deep water. I have to say though, there is a lack of shelter when it rains, the kids are not allowed in the classes, and with a school of over 2000, you can't pack them all into the library at break times. They go on about 100% attendance, but with the kids soaking wet through to the skin, I would think there will be a lot of absences next week.


Quick to judge

Posted on 12-04-2014 07:56 | By mumsey

Wow I can't believe some people are that shallow that they instantly think the worst of the college, students and parents, maybe judging by your own standards huh. Us the "dumb " parents were notified by the college to it would be closing early due to extremely wet weather.. As I have had 3 children at the college over the last 9 years, this is only the 2nd time I can recall an early close.. Before you comment about dumb students and dumb parents and the other person who assumed the teachers would just like an early day, maybe research the story a wee bit more.... the ankle deep water throughout the school was quite a valid point. Who wants to wade through storm water and possibly sewage?


Regarding pathetic and co

Posted on 12-04-2014 08:00 | By jimmy12

Good to see the whinge brigade in top form, always needing to bring someone down, you go girl


Again ??/

Posted on 12-04-2014 10:29 | By Gee9000

This is the same school that sent their pupils home early under the guise of a teachers day off on Tuesday, when in fact these teachers were actually going to a union meeting that afternoon. Do that in your own time instead of continuing inconveniencing parents !!! Also Aquinas College had a flood on Friday in their science block but you didn't see them sending their pupils home. I feel the staff at Otumoetai College are getting a bit to precious.


@ NZgirl

Posted on 12-04-2014 11:30 | By nerak

Yesterday's downpours were of the very wetting variety. Have you forgotten college students move classes throughout the day? Can't really stay inside then, can they? Too much critique from the armchair!


Flooded

Posted on 14-04-2014 17:55 | By Offroad292

the school was flooded i had to walk through knee deep water to get to class... as for Tuesday the teachers had there union meeting at 1pm and parent teacher interviews that night


Overit

Posted on 16-04-2014 16:44 | By overit

I used to work there about 7 years ago. It used to flood in the quad back then-why has nothing been done about it. It will inevitabily happen again. The problem is it not level, and all the water runs into a dip,which fills up like a lake.


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