School’s out after water pipe bursts

MORE than 600 pupils got an unexpected day off due to a burst pipe which caused tens of thousands of euro worth of damage to a secondary school in north Cork.

The pupils were met by staff at St Mary’s Secondary School in Mallow yesterday morning to be told that classes had to be abandoned because of the accident.

Principal Sr Bríd Biggane, said that, overnight, a pipe had become disconnected from a water heater in the first-floor staff room.When the caretaker arrived at 7.15am he discovered water pouring through a ceiling into the canteen area.

Teachers met girls arriving for class at the front gate and told them they would have to go home. Parents were also informed.

“The canteen, staff room, a language room full of computers and a geography room were damaged. There was also a smaller amount of damage done to the home economics room,” Sr Biggane said.

It was not yet known if some or all of the computers would need to be replaced. “We are waiting for a loss adjuster to assess the amount of damage. In the meantime the 51 staff have been helping with the clean-up, which will continue over the weekend.”

She added that Leaving and Junior Certificate students would be accommodated on Monday, but other students need to stay at home.