SCOTLAND: DUNBLANE: SCHOOL RE-OPENS 9 DAYS AFTER MASSACRE

(22 Mar 1996) English/Nat
Dunblane primary school in Scotland, where sixteen children and their teacher were massacred by a gunman has reopened just nine days after the attack.
The school's headmaster said the community's life was slowly returning to normal and he was looking forward to making it a happy place of learning once again.
Dunblane primary school has officially opened its doors to pupils again after last week's horrific massacre which shocked the world.
A steady flow of parents and children have been making their way into the Scottish school where lone gunman Thomas Hamilton ran amok with four pistols.
Nine days after the massacre that left sixteen little children, one teacher and the gunman dead, the flowers have been removed from the school gates as they open for classes.
School begins as usual at 9 a.m. but it will only be a half-day, ending at noon with no school yard breaks.
The educational authority of Scotland's Central Regional Council, the local government body said "It will be a special and different day."
There will be some form of lessons however, in an attempt to get life back to normal.
The headmaster of Dunblane primary says that its time to start looking to the future and making the school a happy one once again.
SOUNDBITE:
"Well as you can imagine this has been a long dark week full of tears. Dunblane is still in mourning, however the evil that came last week is gone, the children return to school today and this is a very important day for us, because today marks the beginning of our recovery and mark my words we will recover. I promise you that. I have been walking around the school this morning and I came across a group of children who were laughing and joking together. I went round another corner and I find another two who were arguing. Normality is returning. We have really only one priority now and that is to ensure that our school becomes a happy place of learning once again, and with the help of people of Dunblane whose strength this week has been truly remarkable, and with all the good wishes we've had from people all around the world, we will be a good school again. Personally I've been totally overwhelmed by the flowers and the cards and the letters, the offers of help and not least the thousands of teddies. Its been quite daunting reading these, but I can tell you that every message and every offer of help has given us a little boost. So on behalf of the pupils and on behalf of the staff and indeed on behalf of Dunblane I thank you very much indeed for that from the bottom of my heart."
SUPER CAPTION: Ron Taylor, Headmaster
He also appealed for no more tokens or tributes to be sent so local people can begin to put the past behind them.
The school's lollypop lady Margaret was back on duty outside the school today helping children cross the road.
She was confident the community would get back on its feet in time and also said how courageous the parents of the children were.
SOUNDBITE:
"I think they are very brave. I think I would have difficulty taking my child in there."
SUPERCAPTION: Margaret - Lolly pop lady
The gym which was the scene of the massacre will not be used, and may be turned into a memorial to the massacre victims.
Parents may stay in school with their children if they wish.
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[@kirstenwinch848]

Horrendous horrible comments by all commentators so far! This man was working under incredibly challenging circumstances and the children his no.1 priority. You should all be ashamed of your comments!!!

[@sean11479]

Why is he smiling and talking about himself for the whole speech?

[@jimstewart2192]

Coz he's a liar

[@bettyclares]

No mention of the murdered children? I would never send my kid back to school!

[@radoodledoo]

All these people saying 9 days isn’t enough How long in your eyes would be enough ??? We all know that children need routine and life unfortunately goes on like he said it’s important to make the school “a happy place of learning again”. There is no blueprint for something like this he did as a headmaster what he thought was right and I’m sure the staff children and parents were supported and they got through ❤

[@Jegiro]

I cannot comprehend that they would be allowed back to school only NINE DAYS afterwards! Surely that is disrespectful!!

[@dawnupton8668]

I'm sorry NINE DAYS??????

[@reeanncraig5263]

I’m sorry but all these comments are horrible those parents of course would have feared sending there children back to school no matter how young everyone involved would have feared for the day all them kids returned back to school the teachers , the head teacher, parents older pupils & everyone in that town would have feared it thinking the worst! You can see it on some of the parents faces they still look distraught you could tell in other news interviews that the head was traumatized an broken over what happened I’m positive he left been a head teacher not long after this and has not long I think it was this year spoken out about the full details into what happened that day I’m sure there would have been so many conversations and debates about when they’d open the school back up they obviously went by what they thought was right for the children it was horrible and heart breaking having to here about all them young lives taken and I’m sure everyone in that town was heart broken about it and they all still will be everyone will forever be sad and traumatized by it but they couldn’t keep the school closed forever? This is something no one could ever get over or forget about 💔💔

[@stephenjohnson6915]

yes I agree some thing not right you can see it we are all not been brain washed the truth will come out about mku

[@shayalexLHRB]

Was looking for a comment like this. Been thinking was this a false🚩

[@stephenjohnson6915]

@@shayalexLHRB look up the teacher getting interviewed in hospital its on for a few mins she says it's a shame it had to happen not it's a shame it happend .had as a different meaning and she has a smirk on her face just like the head teacher

[@shayalexLHRB]

@@stephenjohnson6915 I'll check it out now.. thnks

[@Wench1888]

He looks like he’s loving the attention.

[@leannecampbell4551]

Scripted speech by a Freemasonic liar! Opening a School that had just endured an alleged bloodbath, after a mere 9 days?? 😂😂😂Pull the other one!

[@shayalexLHRB]

False🚩

[@tgq_cadiyt3797]

Poor man has seen enough and just wants the children to be happy but nine days after the shooting is just no it should of been like a month or two but i don't know, its just disappointing.

[@ike25young]

Training children to lie. Vile people.

[@sandramorrow2583]

This guy has no emotion just another day at the office for him I would not want any child of mine going back to that school no mention of the poor wee children who lost their lives

[@humblearseholeisback2006]

He was a very strange man. His answers in the enquiry didn’t match other witnesses

[@nikreece6295]

what would do say or do in THAT position that the poor headmaster is in right there now?

[@jimstewart2192]

He hid under a desk trust me I was there little prick lied through his teeth

[@jimstewart2192]

Liar

[@susanwaugh3885]

Why do you say that Jim?

[@jimstewart2192]

@@susanwaugh3885 because he did susan bloddy liar hid under his desk till the massacre was over then came out to face the media when it was over... Coward... Who do I know? Coz I was the paramedic on scene that's why

[@humblearseholeisback2006]

@@jimstewart2192 you are an amazing man… thank god they had you… I’m also aware of the 999 call. Very strange.