"Crushing" disappointment turns to joy as all States run schools take a snow day

Tuesday 27 February 2018

Thousands of school pupils and College of Further Education students are enjoying a day off, after Education Services decided to close all States run schools and College of FE sites.

Blanchelande College is also closed, while Elizabeth and Ladies colleges made the decision to open, although some pupils were expected to stay home if conditions were too difficult for them to make their way in to St Peter Port.

The decision to close all States run schools and College of FE sites was made following a number of inspections during the early part of the morning. While initially a number of sites were going to open as normal with an announcement at 07:15 to that effect, however a later decision saw all sites remain closed.

While this caused some confusion for parents, the majority of pupils were happy. 

Megan, 11, was among the pupils told she had to go to school first thing this morning. At the time, she said: "Why are you crushing my dreams? Why can't the States just be nice to us children and close the schools? It might be the last time it snows for 70 years or something." When the decision was reversed she was happier. 

Megan, 11, enjoying the snow day after her school was closed

Other's shared that view with some parents unhappy at the situation when some schools were announced as open, before all were announced as closed. Sarah Van Katwyk who has children at both Castel Primary and Les Beaucamps High School said: "Its a complete shambles. Especially because they were cancelling all the school buses but saying the schools were open."

She added: "Why they didn't close them all to begin with when the roads are icy and more snow is forecast is beyond me!"

Benjamin Duddy had started walking from the Bridge area to the Grammar School before he got a call from his mum to return home, as all States run schools were staying closed. Helene Duddy, Benjamin's mum said: "Complete disorganisation five years ago, we had the problem when children were told to go to school and then parents had to go and collect them a couple of hours later. We could see the same thing happening again this year. I have already called one son back from his walk to Grammar school and my other son is currently at Elizabeth College which is open!"

Pictured: Benjamin Duddy en route to The Grammar School from the Bridge

There was snow fall in Alderney overnight which has stuck with more forecast across the Bailiwick. Further updates will be issued when available.

Mrs Arditti braving the cold to walk her dog in Alderney 

Pictured top: Image supplied by Chris Betley