A LOCAL primary school has been significantly damaged after offenders struck for the second time in a month.
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Tamworth police confirmed 16 rooms at Oxley Vale Public School sustained significant damage, including smashed roofs as well as damage to property inside.
Offenders gained entry after midnight yesterday before tearing through the roof and gyprock into the rooms, leaving a trail of damage which staff discovered yesterday morning.
The school’s P&C association said it was very disappointing, after a similar break-in on April 30.
“Well obviously the P&C raises funds for some of these items that are purchased and have been damaged,” association vice-president Kim Smart said yesterday.
“It’s disappointing for the staff that have to have damaged things, but the way the school handles these situations is amazing.”
She said the school had gone to great lengths to minimise disruption to students.
“The problem is not the school – there are a few people that are choosing to damage someone else’s property. The school does a tremendous job to make sure the kids are well taken care of,” she said.
Yesterday, forensic officers carried out a number of examinations of the damage in the hunt for clues as to the identity of those responsible.
Police said they had launched an investigation and were following a number of leads.
A Department of Education and Communities spokesman confirmed the break-in but said there was “very limited disruption to learning”.
“The executive, teachers and staff at the school are commended on their response and commitment to minimising the impact on students’ learning and ensuring students were aware of what had happened to their learning environment,” the spokesman said.