3.55pm: The Bellingen High School principal, Paul Holding, has issued the following update to parents:
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“The school temporarily ceased operations on Friday to allow the Police to investigate and staff to determine the effect of the damage on the school.
“There has been one staffroom extensively damaged by fire, five classrooms with associated damage, and two staffrooms and the library vandalised.
“As a result the school will be open on Monday for Years 11 and 12 students only to allow for a thorough assessment to occur and modifications to the school timetable to be implemented.
“Therefore I am asking parents to keep their Year 7 to 10 students at home, which will help us with the recovery work. However there will be supervision for any students who are unable to stay at home.
“It is anticipated that school will recommence for all students on Tuesday, with a modified rooming allocation.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the emergency services who responded, staff for their action during day and the many offers of support from neighbouring schools and community members.
“Support will be available for the students on Monday and Tuesday on their return to school. We are all very disappointed that this has happened to our school but are looking forward to getting our students back to school and getting back to doing all those things we know make our school and community great.”
Earlier Friday
Students and staff were given a few hours notice – Bellingen High School cancelled lessons for the day after an arson attack left buildings damaged last night (Thursday, February 23).
Those who did turn up, were met by staff at the front gate, blocking access to the school grounds. Students were assisted in finding alternative care for the day.
The F Block, MPC and library were damaged, as well as the administration building.
The Bellingen Shire-Courier Sun understands that arson attacks on a small scale have occurred at the high school during the past two weeks, including damage to the English Block.
The Bellingen High School principal, Paul Holding, was unable to comment, and the police said they were currently compiling information about the fire and its damage.
However, a Department of Education spokesperson said that “there has been a significant fire and vandalism at Bellingen High School this morning”.
“Emergency services are on site.
“The school will temporarily cease operations today and asks that students remain at home. The school is contacting families by email and text.
“There will be further advice later today about arrangements for next week.”
The event has shocked the community and left many parents and educators dismayed.
Ex-BHS principal, Bob Stockton, lamented on Facebook, “To all those wonderful kids and teachers at Bellingen High School whose efforts have been brought down last night by low life vandalising the school last night. It's time to ask the hard question … Where were your kids last night?”
His post garnered much support with comments such as “deplorable”, “sad” and in addition this forthright response: “Well said Bob. A lot of parents seem to place their kids in the ‘too hard basket’ these days and just let them rule the roost. It's time parents actually stepped up and started being responsible adults, responsible for their children!”
As it happened
Bellingen Fire and Rescue NSW station commander Brian Woollard said they received a call out at 2.50am.
“We arrived on scene and one classroom was well alight (maths bock) … as well as multiple other fires,” he said.
“There were a lot of broken windows … the library was vandalised, books were thrown on the floor and they had tried to set them alight,” he said.
“We put out hoselines, and put on breathing apparatus and once extinguished we handed it over to the police. This was about 5.30am.
“I’m guessing the amount of damage that was done means there was more than one person … but it’s up to the police investigators to determine all these details.”
Mr Woollard said one classroom sustained major damage, while others had smoke damage. He said fire investigation teams are assessing the scene now.
“We had a good save. The boys did a great job,” he said.
Mr Woollard said six crews from Bellingen, Sawtell, Coffs Harbour, Urunga and the Rural Fire Service had the fires under control in about an hour.
Police statement: Police appeal for information following school break-in and fire
Police are appealing for witnesses after a school was broken into and damaged by fire on the state’s North Coast overnight.
About 3am emergency services were called to Waterfall Way, Bellingen, following reports of a fire at a school.
Officers from Coffs/Clarence Local Area Command attended and assisted Fire & Rescue NSW as they extinguished the blaze.
Police have been told security attended the school after alarms had been activated about 2am. A number of windows were found to have been smashed with fires in classrooms and the library. The administration building was also ransacked and vandalised.
The fire caused significant damage to two classrooms and the library. No one was injured.
The damage caused by the fire is estimated at more than $100,000.
A crime scene was established and is currently being examined by specialist forensic officers.
Investigators believe the fire was deliberately lit and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Acting Inspector of the Coffs Clarence Local Area Command, Matt Zimmer said, “this incident has caused significant damage to the local high school and significant disruption to the bellingen community”.
“There is no doubt we are treating this fire as suspicious.
“We urge parents to talk to their children - the person responsible needs to be identified, arrested and put before the court.
“Police are still onsite conduction forensics and we are following a number lines of inquiry.”
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
- The Bellingen Shire Courier-Sun will update this story as more information comes to hand.