TEACHERS had to resort to carrying buckets of water to flush toilets at Fair Hill Primary school recently as burst pipes in the Kinallen area caused havoc with water supplies.
Last week's thaw uncovered a number of burst pipes in the area and, while the school itself did not suffer a burst pipe, the water supply to Fair Hill ran so low at the beginning of last week that the school was forced to close on Wednesday.
Princ
ipal Cynthia Clinghan said that despite their best efforts, the decision was taken early last Tuesday to inform parents and pupils the school would close for a day.
She said, "Myself and the other teachers tried our best to carry on without too much disruption but it got to the stage on the Tuesday where carrying buckets of water to the toilets was just not feasible anymore.
"We decided to close the school on Wednesday to try and get the problem sorted out.
"I think the disruption to water supplies in the area at other buildings and houses has affected our water supply here at the school unfortunately."
Mrs Clinghan told the Leader the bad weather had affected school attendance over the last few weeks.
She said, "Some of the children were unable to get in to school on some days when the snow and ice was particularly bad.
"Three buses were out of service last Tuesday, but for the most part pupils have been very good in trying their best to get in to school despite the weather."
