NORWICH, Portland — Concerned parents of students at Norwich Primary School have joined forces to refurbish the grades one and two classrooms and donated $50,000 to the institution as part of their efforts to make the teaching and learning environment more comfortable.

The work to refurbish the classrooms was done over the Heroes’ weekend while the financial donation was made as students returned to school following the mid-term break.

Joy Thompson, acting principal of the school, was pleased with the effort of the parents.

“Our grades one and two classrooms needed some repairing. The ceiling and the sidings were rotten and the parents took the initiative to repair the classrooms and committed themselves for it to be done. Over the break, they did some work on the container fixing up the classrooms,” said Thompson.

“We are thankful to the parents for the work they have done and to Mr [Christopher] Richards and his company [Beep Beep Driving School] for this contribution in helping to make our students as comfortable as they can be… This is what community is about — commitment, togetherness, positivity, and caring. A big thank you to all the parents for what you have done,” said Thompson.

In the meantime Richards, CEO of Beep Beep Driving School, said the renovation of the classrooms was special for everyone including the parents, students, and teachers.

“When the term started we realised that some work was needed for the classrooms so we got together as parents and decided to do some repairs.

“We got $60,000 from the parents [which was used to ] replace the damaged walls and roof, and paint the classrooms. This didn’t add up so Beep Beep Driving School is giving $50,000 to Norwich Primary School to assist,” said Richards.

— Everard Owen

One of the repaired classrooms at Norwich Primary School in Portland