JOHN’S HALL, St James — John’s Hall Primary School in St James is set for a complete rebuild after a decision was made to demolish the existing building and start anew following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Following the storm, the main building lost its roof, while several areas were left unusable and unsafe for both staff and students at the more than 100-year-old institution.

“Better opportunities for the students, better opportunities for the teachers, for the families, and for the wider community at large” is how Principal Maxine Tugwell-Brown described the situation.

The landscape at the school has since changed, with the yard now transformed into a work zone as construction gets under way on the foundation of the new school building.

“Based on what they are saying, we’re going to get an improved building based on what I’ve been getting. It’s expected to be state of the art,” she said.

Reports are that the new building will be a two-storey structure, with classrooms on both the upper and lower levels. The administration offices will also be located on the lower level.

For the principal the massive setback caused by Melissa has been tempered by the prospect of a new facility.

“It’s amazing to know that after 102 years the structure you have worked in, a structure that moulded you as a student here, to know now that you are the principal and will be getting a new school after all those years you’ve attended as a child, it’s an elated feeling,” she said.

She said six months has been slated for completion of the work, but noted that the school is anticipating a longer timeline because of potential unforeseen factors.

One of the tents used, in the early days, to house students of John’s Hall Primary School in St James. 

“Based on the discussions that have been had, they have a six-month time plan, but we know that with the hurricane season and all other kinds of delay are possible, we, as a school, are looking at a one year, even though the ministry has estimated a six-month plan, we know we have to factor in the unforeseen things,” she said.

She made it clear, however, that individuals in the community are anxiously awaiting completion of the new edifice, which will serve students from John’s Hall and surrounding communities.

“The excitement is there, the pride is there, the gratitude is there,” she said.

Despite the excitement surrounding the rebuilding project, the principal continues to lament other infrastructure challenges caused by Hurricane Melissa that are also affecting the school.

“Our population is 326, but with the erosion of the road, our numbers were affected after Melissa, so it’s a likelihood that our numbers may dwindle for September, we have to just hope and see,” she said.

Currently, the road at Spring Mount has been washed away, preventing motor vehicle traffic from accessing the area.

Closer to the school, another section of the roadway is also deteriorating, creating further challenges for students travelling to the institution.

The National Works Agency (NWA) has previously indicated that the matter is to be addressed in short order.