TNT College moves to recovery phase

Planning is underway to quickly restore capacity to Taupō-nui-a-Tia Colllege after almost a quarter of its teaching spaces were destroyed by fire on Sunday.

By Dan Hutchinson

The dramatic blaze completely destroyed N Block which houses 11 classrooms, medical facilities for the students and bathrooms.

Physical attendance at the school had to be cancelled this week, with classes moved online, and school management due to give an update on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters from all over the district and neighbouring districts were called in to help with the fire.

On Sunday, police charged two youths with arson in relation to the fire.

Detective Sergeant Allan Humphries said the fire was “devastating for college teachers, students and families.

“Our investigators were able to quickly identify two alleged offenders in relation to the fire.”

Taupō-nui-a-Tia College Board of Trustees chairwoman Michelle Barnett says no time is a good time for such an event but it was particularly disruptive right at the beginning of the year. Senior students were due to start back this week.

While they were used to teaching classes remotely, following Covid-19, it was “far from ideal”.

She says they have a lot to work through, starting with the demolition of the ruined building.

It was the largest block of classrooms in the school, representing almost a quarter of the teaching spaces available.

Crucially, Michelle says N Block also housed medical facilities for the 1100 students.

Principal Ben Claxon said on Wednesday morning that “things are evolving quickly”. 

“Currently, learning is online.  I will be meeting with the staff this afternoon (Wednesday) to outline the next little while.”

A message sent out to students and families on Tuesday from the college staff said there had been “an outpouring of support for the school”.

“We are truly grateful for all the kind words and offers of support and assistance.

“By now, teachers will have started sending online learning via our google classroom platform.  

“We understand this is not an ideal scenario to start the year, but we are doing the best we can.

“Onsite, things are moving quickly and it is quite a fluid situation. We will be providing a further update tomorrow afternoon on the plan for the next little while.”

On Sunday, as the block became fully engulfed, Police closed surrounding roads for about four hours while Fire and Emergency New Zealand worked to contain the blaze.

“The block of classrooms was destroyed, along with everything inside,” Humphries says.

Nearby residents were told to close their windows to avoid the impacts of the smoke.

A large crowd gathered in the sports field next to the school where the multi-storey classroom block was ablaze. People were hugging each other for support and others visibly upset at the loss.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson says they were alerted to a well-involved fire at the Taupō high school building at 2.11pm.

“Volunteer and career crews from Lake Taupō, Taupō, Kinloch, Rotorua, Tokoroa, Greerton, Tauranga, and Kaingaroa are responding.

Nearby residents affected by the smoke were told to close windows and doors.

Taupō Mayor John Funnell says he has reached out to the school to offer any support necessary.

He says many people have made offers of help, which was the nice thing about the Taupō District.

“When the chips are down, so many are willing to step up and help”.

He had even offered space in his own Suncourt Hotel and Conference Centre for temporary teaching space and understood that others had made similar offers of help.

MP for Taupō Louise Upston says the fire was devasting for the school community.

“I’m staying in close contact with the school, Fire and Emergency, and the Ministry of Education over work needed and as the next steps to recovery are confirmed.”

Ministry of Education deputy secretary Central Jocelyn Mikaere says the college was closed earlier this week while a range of safety assessments and checks are completed.

“Our focus is on making sure the site is safe and that students and staff are well supported. We will continue to work alongside the school for as long as needed as decisions are made about next steps.”