PHS Tower Block Closed Due to Flooding.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 May 2008, 10:54

Got a call at 8:40 this morning to say that the tower block at the school is flooded and that 1,2 and 3rd Years have been sent home. I don't believe the childern sitting exams were adversely affected. Its all rumour and speculation but suggestion is that it could be down to a leak of some kind on the upper floors.

froglette · Post by **froglette** » 06 May 2008, 11:35

The problem is that the tower block is also used for sitting exams. My son is currently sitting his English on the 7th floor. Now only accessible via the blue stair as the other stairs have been closed due to the flooding. Floors 1 thru six are flooded. Its his first SQA exam and this is not a great way for it to start at all. I have no idea if other pupils were supposed to using any other parts of the towerblock for their exams.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 May 2008, 12:36

I cant believe he's that age already!!

Its really crap for the school and more importantly the kids whatever the cause is?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 06 May 2008, 14:14

Froglette, your son and the rest of the exam candidates have my sympathies. As we all know, sitting exams is a stressful enough experience without additional disruption. What a nightmare also for the school staff and invigilators. I hope the exam papers hadn't been stored on floor 1-6. Whatever the cause of this flooding, it is, of course, all the more devastating, because of the tower block design of the school. I would imagine that it will take quite some time to rectify such widespread damage.

froglette · Post by **froglette** » 06 May 2008, 14:19

Just been informed that the school will be closed to all pupils except those due for exams until Monday the 12th. Revision classes are supposed to be going ahead as well.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 May 2008, 14:40

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topst ... 4053502.jp

Evening News coverage.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 06 May 2008, 17:03

And as usual the EN coverage is a lot of s***! As are most of the comments on it. Unless you were in there today and had first hand knowledge of how things were handled (and handled very well I have to say) don't just surmise or make things up or speculate. Although I suppose this is right up PFANers street. Bob and Porty can spend the rest of the week talking to each other about it

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 06 May 2008, 17:19

Oi, I haven't said a word.....yet. And I'm not about to speculate until we know the truth.

In fact, the only person who seems desperate to make a point is the mysterious SchoolKid44. I wonder who that could be?

So what's your eye-witness, first-hand account then Epykat?

froglette · Post by **froglette** » 06 May 2008, 19:00

Epykat,
Your comment would have been better put if you had posted it on the EN website as the people who have posted on this thread are not surmising or making things up. All comments about the situation which were discussed came directly from the school themselves and there was never any suggestion by anyone here that the staff did not handle the situation well. I also object to you insinuating that PFANers, such as Bob and Porty, would be interested in this as part of their campaign when from talking to them I am well aware that their overiding concern on this happening is for the welfare of the children sitting their exams.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 May 2008, 19:52

Has anyone here ever seen Epykat and SchoolKid44 in the same room at the same time?

I'm glad you stuck up for the handling of the situation Epykat. I didn't doubt it would be handled well but nice to hear it anyway. The pressure on school staff during exam time is intense enough.

Whatever occurred it shows the school building, the tower block in particular, is vulnerable, whether its sabotage, accident or wear and tear. They don't build schools like that nowadays, in fact they haven't for probably 30 Years. Regardless of the cause we need a more stable and fit for purpose facility for this community's children.

I can also understand Froglettes concern. I was quite a robust exam taker but many kids are not, they like routine not ruction.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 06 May 2008, 20:07

Porty wrote:Has anyone here ever seen Epykat and SchoolKid44 in the same room at the same time?

Very funny but totally wrong. At least he/she knows what he/she is talking about. There was minimal disruption to kids taking exams today. Nobody needs the hassle - kids or staff - (some staff have lost years and years worth of resources) but unfortunately it's happened and it's being dealt with. Banging on and on about needing a new school and jumping on every bandwagon you can find to prove your point is just getting so boring.

Porty wrote:Regardless of the cause we need a more stable and fit for purpose facility for this community's children.

Any chance you could change the record sometime soon?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 06 May 2008, 20:46

School's out for Summer?

BTW i'm not jumping on any bandwagon. I've been on this one for sometime. You obviously think we should shake it off, patch it up and carry on. I think the same but not for any longer than is necessary.

Schoolkid44 may be right about the exams, as for everything else? mastercard won't do but reality will.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 07 May 2008, 06:20

From the PHS website:

Portobello High School: Important Information

Due to extensive damage from flooding over the weekend which has left a number of classrooms out of action, pupils in years S1, S2 and S3 will NOT BE able to return to school until Monday, 12 May 2008.

S3 and S4 Standard Grade Mathematics pupils sitting exams on Thursday can if they wish attend a study day on Wednesday, 7 May 2008 and report for their examinations as normal on Thursday, 8 May 2008 (unfortunately this does not include S3 sitting Intermediate 1 Mathematics on Tuesday, 20th May 2008). All S3 Intermediate 1 Prelim examinations have been postponed until further notice.

S4 examinations continue as scheduled and S5 / S6 classes will be held as normal.

The meeting for collecting money for Suspended Timetable due to be held on Friday, 9th May 2008 has been postponed until further notice.

Apologies for the inconvenience.

P Macarthur
Head Teacher

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 07 May 2008, 12:54

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/educa ... 4056568.jp

EN appear to be sticking to the one tap theory. Epykat will be bealing.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 07 May 2008, 14:34

Funnily enough it wasn't the tap that did the damage - it was the water that came out of it......

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 07 May 2008, 22:41

Did it take you a day to think of that?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 May 2008, 11:46

Latest update:

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 May 2008, 12:57

From today's EN:

Parents praise school staff's flood response

PARENTS at flood-hit Portobello High School today praised staff for their "speedy and professional response" to the incident.
Hundreds of pupils were sent home on Tuesday morning after the sixth floor was flooded over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The flood was caused by a tap being left on, and police are investigating the incident. Parent council chairman Ken Aitken said: "The Portobello High School parents council wishes to put on record its thanks to staff for the superb response they have shown to the incident."

But he added the flooding has highlighted the urgent need for a new school.

He said: "The vulnerability of the ageing infrastructure of the school to this kind of incident, however, is only too evident.

"It is unacceptable so many pupils had to be sent home, requiring parents to put ad hoc childcare arrangements in place."

The parent council is holding a meeting on May 26 to "insist" that the building is maintained to a suitable standard and plans for a new school are moved forward.