WATCH: Community rallies behind vandalised Greenwood Park school
The school, both a daycare and a pre-primary, is situated on Park Station Road.
THE principal of the Greenwood Park Educare Centre, Lee Ellis, said she was blown away by the community’s response after her school was vandalised and stripped bare.
The school, both a daycare and a pre-primary, is situated on Park Station Road.
It was on the verge of re-opening when tragedy struck in November last year. Over the course of two break-ins, vandals destroyed everything in sight. They ripped out light fittings, broke the ceramic basins and damaged various items inside the school.
Now, through the kindness of strangers and the community, the school is looking to re-open its doors in February.
“It is so easy to lose hope, and that’s exactly where I was last year with the total wanton vandalism of the school. I actually couldn’t face the reality. I wanted to just close the doors to the school altogether. But then total strangers reached out to ask how they could help. It restores your hope and those acts of kindness changed my outlook. The outpouring of support has truly been amazing,” Ellis explained.
A local plumber has already re-installed the wash basins in the children’s bathroom and replaced all of the copper pipes, which were stolen, with pvc pipes and fittings.
“Thanks to the plumbers, we’ll have running water. Once we are reconnected to the grid, an electrician has offered to do all of the electrical work. I’ve also been contacted by the community group, Teens Under The Hood SA, who have offered to assist with the clean-up efforts and painting the school,” she said.
Ellis added donations had allowed her to cut back the overgrown bush surrounding the school.
“I would just like to thank everyone who has contributed to the school’s restoration. We are looking to re-open in February this year, despite the setbacks. It means the world to me. Being able to give parents the good news who enrolled their children in the school last year is fantastic,” she said.
Ellis said attention now turned to repairing the fencing around the school, which the vandals entered through. If you would like to assist the school, contact Lee Ellis on 065 647 0658.
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