The Department of Education is hopeful that TN Tatem Middle School will reopen on February 20 after being forced to close the facility owing to mould and air- quality issues.

Students and teachers have been working with the department and teachers to get students to St David’s to attend Clearwater Middle School during the interim period.

Acting Commissioner of Education, Freddie Evans, said: “Occasionally, through a crisis situation ingenuity and collaboration emerge. In this instance, the building emergency at TN Tatem Middle School fostered a brilliant situation of professional teamwork, community partnership and social alliance.”

Dr Evans added: “I am certain that every member of the Tatem family would agree that the Clearwater family have been gracious hosts, opening their doors and ensuring that students were not only accommodated, but fully integrated into their school.

“The TN Tatem students have demonstrated resilience and perseverance as they faced the great inconvenience of commuting from the west to Clearwater Middle School on a daily basis.

“Despite challenges, teachers and students from both schools have unified to demonstrate a vision of what Bermuda middle schools can become in the future.

“Although gaps in curriculum delivery were identified, it is important to note that, in every instance, steps were taken to ensure that the classroom experience of teaching and learning was delivered collaboratively to ensure the best opportunities for student success.

“Despite the triumph of this collaboration, it is time to plan the transition and resumption of school at TN Tatem Middle School.

“As witnessed, by the Tatem PTA executive, and members of the Bermuda Union of Teachers and Bermuda Industrial Union, during their recent walk-through of the building, a tremendous amount of work has been completed.

“However, there is still important work to be completed.

“This work will continue throughout the course of the school year.

“We understand the inconvenience of remodelling work continuing as school is in session; however, it is the general consensus that returning under these conditions is better than the continued difficulty of commuting.”

Dr Evans said that the department would continue to update and announce transition plans.