Burnside High School

Chaos at Burnside High: School Closes Over Earthquake Risk

🚨 Burnside High School, the largest secondary school in the South Island, suddenly shuts down, leaving students at home. Find out more! #BurnsideHigh #EarthquakeRisk

In a surprising turn of events, Burnside High School, the South Island's largest secondary school, has been forced to close its doors due to the risk posed by earthquakes. The closure has left thousands of students stranded at home on Thursday and Friday, disrupting their usual routine. Specifically, two classroom blocks, I and J block, are being shut down following detailed seismic assessments that revealed alarming risks. This sudden closure has raised concerns and confusion among the school community, as students and staff navigate this unexpected disruption.

The seismic assessments conducted at Burnside High School unveiled a startling reality - 40 of the school's buildings are classified as earthquake-prone, with some structures falling significantly below the new building standards. The Education Ministry has emphasized that the decision to use low-rated buildings rests with individual schools, adding to the complexity of the situation. This classification has put a spotlight on the urgent need for safety measures and renovations to ensure the well-being of students and staff.

The closure of Burnside High School sheds light on a broader issue affecting several educational institutions in Christchurch and beyond. With 40 earthquake-prone school buildings facing a similar dilemma, the safety of students and teachers remains a top priority. The management of seismic risks in schools continues to be a pressing concern, requiring proactive measures to address vulnerabilities and enhance safety standards.

Interesting Fact: The earthquake-prone classification signifies that these buildings fall below 34 percent of the new building standards, highlighting the severity of the risk. Another Interesting Fact: Despite the classification, some low-rated school buildings may still be in use, underscoring the importance of ongoing evaluation and decision-making at the school level.