Schools close, most buses cancel as ice covers roads and snow blankets runway
Monday 29th November 2010, 10:47AM GMT.
Snow and ice caused more disruption at the airport this morning.
TREACHEROUS road conditions first thing led to the closure of all schools and colleges.
Education administration manager John de Carteret made the announcement early today after deciding it would be too dangerous for pupils to make their way in.
Police were advising people not to make any unnecessary journeys,’ he said. ‘As always, it’s the upper parishes that are the worst hit and children’s health and safety is a priority.’
Its understood that Alderney’s head teacher has left the decision up to parents.
Guernsey Airport ground to a halt once again when, after a weekend of weather problems and delays, the runway was covered with 20mm of snow. The conditions have hit newspaper and mail deliveries again today.
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
- To read Guernsey Press stories in full click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.
Island Life
All about Guernsey
Ambassador of the Year 2011
History & Heritage
Visitor Information
Guernsey's government
Campaigns
Voice For Victims
Voice for Victims is a campaign aimed at promoting the rights of those affected by child sexual abuse.
This is Guernsey
Guernsey Press
Useful Links
So the roads to the schools are too treacherous for teachers to drive on, but the roads to the PEH are fine for the nurses/doctors/physios/domestics etc to drive on. God help us when we get some real snow. This is truly embarassing.
Report abuse
Well the forcast did warn the snow would be comming and they still couldn’t keep the runway clear and open…
Report abuse
Well said Nurse!
You would’ve thought after last years fiasco that the states would have addressed this issue…..but hold on, did they not say that they were prepared for such weather as recently as last week?!
I do hope that they buck their ideas up sharpish as xmas is approaching and people will be coming and going from the island, myself included!
Report abuse
Yes its a absolute joke Nurse.
Im in one of the highest areas and this morning there was only about 1cm of snow on the road which i wouldnt think twice about driving my little car on. Everyone was driving. It is completely clear now- as expected. Even if i wasnt going to drive it was very sunny and easy to walk anywhere including schools. Why is it okay for kids to run up and down the street but not walk to school?
What is going to happen if it snows tomorrow for the kids taking the scheduled 11+ exam?
Report abuse
I wish everyone woudl quit whinging about how badly the island copes with snow.
Jas – If The the states came out and said they wanted to spend £X Million on snow clearing machines for roads and runway it would be the same people complaining.
We’re not setup for snowy conditions, to be ready for it would be a waste of money.
Nurse – whether the kids get a day off school is nothing compared to whether there are doc and nurses in the hospital. No school buses and very slipery pavements mean its probably a good idea that the schools didn’t open this morning.
Report abuse
J, you are missing a couple of things here. Kids having an unplanned day off school has a massive knock on effect on the local economy; a lot of parents will have to take time off work to look after them, meaning businesses will be losing out on staff.
The other thing is, as I mentioned, this isn’t even real snow. If Guernsey can’t cope with this, what will it be like when the snow really comes?
Report abuse
This is a nonesense…….People having to take time off work becasue they cannot get their kids to school becasue the schools are closed!!
The roads are fine, and the kids are all out playing now, what a joke!!
And as for the airport closing, well that’s a total embarrassment for the island!!
Report abuse
I am a Teacher and I am sat in school working!!!
Report abuse
Well said J
I walked to work this morning and the pavements were horrible to walk on, also there were idiots who think there wonderful drivers out on the roads, that didn’t help. SLOW DOWN next time.
Report abuse
What a stupid decision to close everything, I hate to think what will happen if we get some real winter weather with proper ice and snow!
Maybe I should take up teaching.
Report abuse
J – If people were taught even the basics of driving in slippery conditions the paltry amount of snow we saw this morning wouldn’t be an issue. The standard of driving in this island is atrocious at the best of times (I’m looking at you, person who can’t use roundabouts).
PS: I rode to work (from the upper parishes) on my motorcycle this morning.
Report abuse
So where is all this “New” de-icer that was in the news last week.
The fact this “new” de-icer has been in use since the early eighties and our muppets have only just found out about it says it all really.
This is the second period of snowfall this year and I can never remember snow at this time of year, maybe this is a sign of things to come in the future of global climate change, if it is then it is time the relevant authorities got their act together to ensure that eseential services, the Airport being one of them, are kept operational with minimum disruption.
However, with the States capping budgets for most departments there’s every reason to suspect that a small amount of snow will continue to create chaos in Guernsey for the forseeable future.
Report abuse
I think we’re completely entitled to whinge J. The effect that this small amount of snow has had on daily normal activities is ridiculous.
If it was just as simple as kids getting an extra day off school then fine but the kids then need parents or guardians to look after them who then need to take extra time off work who then leave employers short staffed and the knock on effect is huge an extremely inconvenient and expensive.
These kind of weather conditions seem to be becoming more frequent and the States really should re-assess how it goes about coping with the situation. A decision to close all of the islands schools made at 6a.m. may not seem so appropriate 4 or 5 hours later. Surely the schools could look at opening later – or teachers living within walking distance of a school (regardless of whether they work there) go in and supervise the children that can make it in. It surely wouldn’t take too much imagination and ideas to come up with some kind of a workable solution. Maybe to balance things up, any teaching days lost due to this kind of problem in the winter could be re-couped back at the beginning or end of the summer holidays. Three or four extra days off each year due to ‘adverse weather’ is a huge strain on people already struggling to cover the existing time off that kids get from school.
Report abuse
J, you are going overboard. We are only saying that the snow was way too light and the decision to close schools was made too hastily. Nurse makes a valid point in that why are the roads deemed too dangerous for teachers but not anyone else? It doesnt make sense. The fact that it was sunny and likely to clear (which it did) should have been taken into account. In any case the hospital was left short of doctors and nurses today, not because of snow but because of the decision to close schools….. and if you cant figure out why then shame on you.
Report abuse
I’m a Guernseyman living in the UK now.
On Saturday morning I looked out to 200mm of snow in our area, that’s 8″.
I climbed into my little Ford KA and set off on my 20 mile drive into work. I did the same thing at 6pm when I left work to try and make it home again, the snow having got worse during the day.
I laugh at how Guernsey people get completely paranoid over 10mm of snow.
You don’t know how lucky you are !!
Report abuse
A bit of snow on Friday night and people are panic buying bread and milk on Saturday. A little bit more last night and the schools are closed, buses cancelled and the airport closed both times. It really is incredible how a little snow literally shuts the island down.
I’m not suggesting buying expensive equipment that will only be used every now and again. Instead, why not show a little bit more resilience. We were warned the snow was coming. Get up earlier, put on a sturdy pair of boots and walk to work. If you have to drive, start in a higher gear, for manual cars, or put your automatic car into winter mode and be a bit more careful. Every second car here seems to be a 4×4 which should easily handle these conditions.
Nurse is spot on when she says what will happen when we get some real snow.
Report abuse
Health and safety is no excuse for closing the schools following a sprinkling of snow.
Equally, there is no excuse for a teacher making the comment “I am a Teacher and I am sat in school working!!!”.
I am not talking about the working in school here, I am talking about the grammar, which is especially shocking coming from a teacher.
It should be “sitting” not “sat”, i.e. “…and I am sitting in school working…”.
It is the equivalent grammatically of saying “I am taught my pupils” instead of saying “I am teaching my pupils”.
Report abuse
They close schools as a safety precaution not just because of the snow but for frozen pipes etc… what if you’re little one went to school and a blizzard erupted whilst you were at work?? Yes I agree that sometimes a little bit of snow causes panic but there are other elements to think of.
Report abuse
Shocked to be honest!!
I looked out of the window this morning and thought “business as usual”
Really didnt expect the airport to be closed and certainly not the schools, there appears to be mass panic every time something white falls out of the sky!
Yes you can say we dont want to spend millions on massive measures to counteract the wintery conditions, but I havent seen one gritter out on the roads, or even a public services van full of salt to at least deposit on the main roads surely that wouldnt be a bad idea no??
Its up to the parents whether they think its too dangerous, for example children that have to walk long stretches on icy pavements, but the simple solution of saying “we’ll open at 11″ would have solved that.
More common sense less panic!
Report abuse
Go to a country that is geared up for this type of weather and you will realise just how embarrassing the island’s reaction has been to a small bit of snow that cleared very quickly.
Report abuse
As I was driving along Fort Road this morning there were a group of children who were throwing balls of snow at cars. This is simply terrible and they should be locked up.
Report abuse
It’s hilarious!!
Couldnt’ believe that the schools were closed this morning. The Airport I can understand, as who would want to go skidding and sliding down the runway on a Trislander? But the Mummies with their lovely big Range Rovers could easily have driving their little darling’s to school.
The States need to get this sorted, its an embarrasment for the island. As I’m writing this, some dark clouds are heading this way from the North. Maybe I’ll get to go home early just in case I get snowed in at work. Here’s hoping.
This does seem to be a more frequent occurance. 4 times in 3 years now. Maybe the States need to get some sort of plan in action now, as I think that we haven’t seen the last of this snow yet…
Report abuse
I seem to remember hearing that we cant use gritting salt over here because the whole island is a water catchment area and it would spoil the reservoirs. Also, there was more snow than a lot of you are making out there was, at least in St Martins there was. It was snowing heavily and continually for at least 2 hours up here and that resulted in about 3 inches of snow.
Report abuse
Karen in reply to your rather absurd comment about the schools considering opening later i have two points to add. Firstly what is the point of the schools opening later in the day 50% of the day is over by then anyway you are on about economical matters and emloyers being understaffed well dont you think that some teachers live in the upper parishes where the weather is too dangerous to attempt driving.so please stop criticising educations;s informed and sensible decision to close the schools you would be the first to whinge if they opened the schools and one oif your kids was injured either travelling to or leaving the school this island is full of whingers!
Report abuse
Driving on snow or ice with summer tyres is risking your own and other peoples necks.Oh I know the problems,but life and health is precious!Emergency vehicles should hold a limited number of winter wheels so that they can at least provide some service, if as forcast we are in for a severe winter——-?????
On average a vehicle with summer tyres,at 30MPH,on ice or snow,needs an extra 20m to stop as against a car fitted with winter tyres!So one can only advise,leave the car where it is when the roads are snow or ice covered if,as most likely,its fitted with summer tyres!And remember,even on wet roads,summer tyres harden at low temperatures(under 7c) and lose their grip!
Report abuse
I think it’s embarrassing that so many ‘adults’ are complaining about schools being closed. Fair enough it’s not convenient that they’re closing at the last minute but it is simply not safe for buses to run with the icy roads.
Guernsey doesn’t often get snow like this, especially this early so if you’re going to moan about one day of inconvenience then how do you cope with the real world?
Report abuse
Another guernsey shambles
Report abuse
Dave Haslam, you obviously live in the North of the island, which doesn’t even get snow.
The airport was covered in a couple of inches of snow, I’d love to watch you landing or taking off from it, would’ve given me something to laugh about.
It was too dangerous for students to get to school today, my car struggled to get up some hills and I had to reverse and find an alternative route.
Whoever was riding a motorcycle in this weather is crazy.
Report abuse
I really can’t believe that this topic is being so hotly debated, especially with a number of you saying that we’re moaning due to school closures. Although I do find it rather amusing that kids have lost the ability to walk….I must’ve missed that memo!
This topic is not entirely about the schools being closed. We’re simply venting our feelings due to the sheer lack of a plan B from the education department, states and whomever else is ‘un’likely to shoulder the blame for this. I mean the fact that we’re even having this conversation after Colin Le Ray stated that they had taken measures to ensure that the airport is ‘Geared up to cope with ice’ just proves a point. It was even posted on this site! http://www.thisisguernsey.com/2010/11/26/airport-gets-geared-up-to-cope-with-ice/
Look, we all know that global warming is catching up to us, and no, I’m not going to start preaching about the matter, as this is not the item on discussion, but what the ‘Powers that be’ need to be considering is the fact that they need to step it up a gear and move with the times. It’s pretty safe to assume that this ‘snow’ is going to be with us every year for here forth. So here’s a crazy thought, how about some R & D into seeing how similar places (Such as IOM, IOW) cope with the winter months.
I don’t think having a plan is a bad idea, and it certainly wouldn’t cost the earth
Report abuse
mr clinet
Well said!
Anybody would think war has broken out reading some of these posts.
Its not the snow and a day off school thats the problem, its more like a lot of people creating a song & dance out of nothing more than a bit of disruption.
Nurse
If a few businesses are effected then tough, i`m sure they can live with it or is it money first safety second? oh and it was real snow or is there another kind?.
Jimmy Bean
How do you know Guernsey people get paranoid over a bit of snow? what a silly comment.
Report abuse
Inadvertently, Mr G has struck the nail on the head. I accept that the upper parishes were probably right to close but there were local schools that could easily have opened this morning, such as those in the north (e.g. St Sampsons High). OK some teachers from these schools might not be able to get in but surely some measures could have been taken. Surely they must have contingency plans for staff absence?
In my opinion simply closing all island schools was nothing more than a cop out that saved the Education department the inconvenience of having to engage their brains and find solutions to problems they are paid to solve.
Report abuse
Mr G, you solved your own problem. You found an alternative route which is what any sensible person would have done to start with. There are nearly always alternative solutions/routes. The vast majority of children could have walked to school this morning and the vast majority of adults could have walked to work this morning if they didn’t fancy driving. From what I saw, closing schools so early was a big overreaction.
Report abuse
Where oh where does the report say about Teachers not being able to go to School only 1 mention of the word Teacher and that was preceeded by the words Alderney and HEAD. Please read article properly first before sparking off.
Regards the Emergency services they have adequate supplies of studded tyres and snow chains so providing a service to the island is no problem to them
P.S. I have a set of Studded tyres 205/16 for sale any offers
Report abuse
Mr G
I live near the airport thanks.
I repeat…… I opened my curtains today to see many cars driving past my house, as usual, and I thought “business as usual”, the roads, already at that early time were fairly clear.
Regarding the airport, I’d understand if the airport was closed maybe for the first hour, but a little bit of planning and foresight, , and we’d have been open at 8
For example, the bulk of the “huge snow fall” fell around 11pm last night. Why werent the staff called in early to get it cleared, seeing as they had a good 7 hours notice before the first flights were due in?? They would be expected to do this in every other single jurisdiction.
I dont really want to go into your driving skills because by admitting what you admitted, you appear to be completely backing up one of the earlier posters about guernsey driving standards.
I drove from the upper parishes to town, at a very early hour, I drove sensibly in for the most part reasonable conditions, perhaps one or 2 spots vere a little dangerous, but nothing a little common sense and decent driving couldnt negate!! My journey was a little longer than usual, but other than that……… Fairly standard!
Report abuse
To answer the point about the 11+ should the schools also be closed tomorrow I believe an alternative date of 14 December has been set.
Report abuse
I never thought I’d read a quote from Michael Jackson complaining about boisterous, frolicking children?!
And as for Ross trapped in his house by a hole three inches of snow?! I’m just relieved that he’s lived to tell the tale!
What a load of nonsense! I’m amazed people are willing to put their names to some of these mindlessly hysterical posts. It seems to me this island seriously lacks any sense of perspective on this subject. For shame.
Report abuse
Mr Haslam, the airport staff were there from 5am, I agree they should’ve got it cleared, but you said “didn’t expect the airport to be closed”. Especially after Colin said they had purchased some expensive salt and sand.
You can comment on my driving all you like, I would’ve liked to see you get up the steep lanes near my home, they hadn’t been driven on, and it was purely ice.
I agree, perhaps education should’ve made a comment later on in the day, but what’s wrong with some kids having the day off? It’s not like we get it every year. Ok, it put some strain on parents, but as another poster has already pointed out, school is for education not for child care.
Report abuse
Hi all,
As i have said in previous feeds, i am moving there shortly.
Today in 3 inches of snow i walked my boys up a steep hill to the village school, then returned home where i contemplated riding my motorbike to work.
As it was still snowing i decided to get a bus for 6 miles then a train for a further 10, and am now about to do the reverse to get home.
There does seem to be mad panic over it all, and even when the temp drops to 0, that doesnt mean the roads are frozen 5 mins later, obviously you take care, but as somebody else said if you know how to drive in bad conditions you can still drive, unless you have summer tyres! i have never heard of summer tyres?
Report abuse
Don….You have a point on tyres, however, the problem over here is ICE. The only tyres that give any grip on ice are studded tyres but they can’t be used for long on non icy roads because the studs fly out.
Chains are the best for temporary use on icy roads but won’t do your tyres a lot of good. Winter tyres, generally also known as mud and snow tyres will give better grip on Mud or Snow but not ice.
I doubt many people will go to the expense of kitting themselves out with a set of winter wheels to put onto the car when required as is common practise in countries where regular winter snowfall is the norm.
In Sweden for instance studded tyres are required by law for the winter months, In Canada it is common to have a spare set of ordinary wheels in winter mainly because the salt used on the roads ruins alloy wheels.
The answer for Guernsey is effective use of an appropriate de-icer on our roads. We just need our authorities to get their act together..somehow it seems the next ice age will have come and gone before that happens though..!
Report abuse
Mr Clinet,
Please explain what might be so absurd in considering that the schools open later? And who said anything about driving? Opening at 10 or even 11 would give those people who are prepared to make the effort to get their children (on foot perhaps? Certainly with the primary schools most kids are within a reasonable walking distance)to the premises and see the kids in.
As regards teachers living in the higher parishes I’m sure that it wouldn’t be too difficult for the Education Dept. to come up with some kind of plan for the event in which teaching staff are deployed to whichever school is nearest and within a reasonable reach of their home. Surely enough skeleton staff could be provided this way to be able to cope.
As regards moaning about kids injuring themselves….it would be my responsibility (as it is every day) to ensure that my children get to the premises safely and in one piece and exactly the same for on the way home. Why should that be any different just because of snow, or ice?
Report abuse
Paul Le Page – ye be right. I cannot see why it should be beyond the wit of man to come up with a middle ground somewhere between ‘schools open, if you don’t go we prosecute’ and ‘schools closed, you can’t come’. Alderney somehow seems to manage it!
Closing the schools easily creates as many problems as it solves – its chief appeal being that it’s a neat way for the Education Department to get the problem out of its in-tray.
Report abuse
SSDD: “Every second car here seems to be a 4×4 which should easily handle these conditions.”
Yes, the 4×4 can. But how many of their drivers are skilled in their operation? I reckon only 1% of 4x4s are actually bought for their USP. Most are driven by 30somethings with 2 kids in the back watching Toy Story 3 on the headrest dvd, sipping guava juice from the minibar!
How many 4×4 owners have actually been on a 4×4 driving skills course?
Report abuse
What happens when we get our new multi million pound runway and we still cant use the airport ,come on states get a real snow plough in instead of those tractors which are used on farmhouses not a airport !
Report abuse
It certainly seemed like panic to me. We live in the upper parishes and only had about 1cm of snow. In my opinion the schools should have opened and the buses should have run – I’m presuming that half the reason the schools closed was that school buses weren’t run. All this nonsense about pipes bursting, snow chains etc. is totally absurd and disproportionate to the piddling bit of snow we had yesterday. The roads were clear by lunchtime and would have been clear much sooner if people had been driving on them sensibly, that’s what happens when the temperature is above zero. Get a grip, Guerns!
Report abuse
I actually think its a shame the children couldnt go to school – what fun they would have had at playtime etc with snowball fights ete etc! The weather was difficult in places, but really it was just ‘inconvenient’ and allowing for people being late etc and possibly leaving early – if there is a bit of flexibility alot of parents could still have got their children to school safely and managed to get to work too. I can recall being at school and work myself at times of snow and it was actually a great experience – allowing for flexibility as I mentioned above.Even if only 70% of kids could get to school and 70% of teachers that is surely better than none at all…
Report abuse
Mr G
You are right, I didnt expect the airport to be closed, running an hour behind maybe, but not affected to the extent that it was.
We have had snow an increasing number of times in the last couple of years, and each time we panic and act like we’ve never seen it before, surely at some point, proper contingency plans must be put in place that is my point.
If what I’m reading about the Jetstream is right, then we are in for this every year now, for a good few years and we cannot act like there are UFO’s descending from the sky every time it snows a tiny bit.
I went out for a walk on Saturday morning, and Le Riche in St Peters was like a war zone, there were cars everywhere, and the roads were much worse on Saturday than they were Monday. Funny how a good bit of panicing will allows people to get the car out and clear the shelves of bread!! But its deemed too dangerous 2 days later!!
I also agree with you that the kids should be allowed to enjoy the snow, we dont get it that often, but lets not forget they also has Saturday to enjoy the snow, so its not like they were missing out, and by 10am Monday the roads were practically normal, so its ludicrous that the schools were closed.
Report abuse
I walked to the shop with my children yesterday & nearly got ran over by a skidding car. I just thank god that the schools were closed! My child’s safety is paramount, you lot would be in uproar had your child been on a bus that had skidded / crashed etc or walked & been hit by one!
I managed to share the childcare with someone else, we both looked after each others children whilst the other went to work. 1 did 5 hours in the am & visa versa in the afternoon.
The only thing wrong about Guernsey is that it lacks community spirit! If there was more of it, we could help each other out more when these issues arise!
Report abuse
we shouldnt have to put up with staying of school. still at least were not in england where kids are staying off all week
Report abuse
I completely agree mum of two. If your child was on the bus, and the bus crashed in the ice, and your child was seriously injured or perhaps dead, you would sue Island Coachways. They don’t want to damage their buses, or get sued.
Report abuse
Hope you didn’t miss too many lessons choco.
Report abuse
Just a quick one what if they didnt close the schools and some children got hurt? There is a lot of traffic around the schools in the morning 100s of parents trying to get there children to school. Could you picture the out-rage if they didnt close the schools and someone got hurt.
I think they need to announce before 7.15 if they need to close the schools. Now im just guessing but I dont think these people have special powers and can see into the future to see what the weather will be later in the day. Lets face it even checking the weather report sometimes you really cant tell how its going to be. What if they let the children go to school hoping it would get sunny and it snows more and the children get suck at school, once again everyone would be having a go saying why didnt they close the schools. Like the saying goes better safe then sorry.
Report abuse
Lets get this straight teachers do not make the policies that’s the board of education, they don’t all phone each other and decide not to go in and I’m sure the BOE takes advice from the police when it comes to transport.
I agree that the BOE could be doing more they could make sure teachers attend their nearest school (to where they live) then the parents that can’t arrange other childcare don’t have to stay at home.
But in my opinion the island has far more pressing issues that need to be dealt with than just a few snow days, I’m sure some us can remember about a ten year period when we didn’t have any. So to say we need to waste our tax on equipment (that will require maintenance and parts then replacement etc all paid for by us) for snow when we still pump untreated effluent straight into the sea seems madness.
Everyone should remember they can make a difference if they voted ! demand island wide voting and vote for someone who shares your view.
If not you could always just leave the island !
Report abuse
The fact of the matter is this…
Guernsey never gets enough snow in volume or frequency to warrant getting specialist equipment or spend a large amount of money sorting it.
In today’s culture, decisions such as closing schools has to be made to cover peoples backs. If something were to go wrong, i think the results would be a lot more harsh than a few people moaning or loosing out on a days work.
The reality is, Guernsey is a small island… walk, if your that desperate to get into work, im sure people can be inventive enough to work out a solution for themselves!
Report abuse
Would i be stiring up trouble if i said that the money it would cost to be prepared for snow would pay for the cancer screening program.
Report abuse
Having read through so many posts i think i might be missing something here? was this a one day event or many weeks?. for goodness sake it was ONE DAY.
And i didnt see anyone “panicing” Dave Haslam. Just making a decision on what was the correct action to take, which i happen to agree with.
Report abuse
I think Mum of 2 has the right idea: parents could network better.
As a stay-at-home mum I could’ve taken a couple of extra charges, but didn’t know anyone who needed it.
Rather than worry about schools closing, lets enjoy the possibility of nice clear roads (which they were at 3pm yesterday afternoon) and get organised now. The odd day off school is really the least of our worries, provided we organise care in advance.
Any concerned parents should speak to their kid’s school PTA about organising a list of parents who are happy to look after the kids of those who have to work.
Do this now and we’ll all be prepared come the next bout of snow. If there even is one.
Report abuse
So Mrs Meat
“Any concerned parents should speak to their kid’s school PTA about organising a list of parents who are happy to look after the kids of those who have to work.”
Are the PTA going to organise the CRB checks & inspect the homes of all those involved?
Sounds like a great idea, do you already work for the States?
Report abuse
Surely if Health & Safety of the children was paramount they would have been at school rather than wondering around icy roads and lanes unsupervised?
Also if HSSD can organise a snow plan for getting staff to work (24/7) to maintain an essential service surely it is not beyond Education to come up with a similar plan?
Report abuse
Mum of 2, Mr Clinet and bcb you are all right!
Schools are not creches, people shouldn’t have kids if they consider their jobs more important than their children. These people would be the first to complain if their children were injured. Not one of these parents are complaining because of their children missing a days education, they are complaining because they do not have anyone to look after their children- that is not what schools are for!
Opening schools at 11 would be pretty pointless…they finish at 3, you would gain a matter of hours. What do those parents do for child-care from 3? And during school holidays!
This happens a few times a year, if that… The economy is not going to suffer that much, parents who cannot find alternative arrangements just have to take a days leave without pay…or make up their time with a little bit of overtime each day.
Nurses etc. are expected to drive in yes, because their jobs are a matter of life or death. Hardly comparable to teachers!
Report abuse
bcb
Oh I assure you, there was plenty of panicking, and not much in the way of lateral thinking, from authorities or the general populace.
Mr G’s reply to Mum of 2′s rambling is a case in point, not much in the way of lateral thought at all shown by either party “my god people could be killed”
If people did actually think before acting, then we wouldnt have had half the problems.
I dread to think what would happen if there was a real actual emergency over here, or any proper inclemental conditions,
What would we do do with a foot of snow??
Martial Law??
Report abuse
the states never learn,when we lived on the islands last year we were grounded for 4 days at manchester airport.
a bit of snow and the world comes to an end !!
Report abuse
My latvian friends think we’re a total joke here..
Where he’s from it’s normal to have snow for up to 3/4 months of the year and temp as low as -20c being normal. And guess what life carries on..
They keep taking the micky out of us cuz of how we panic when we have 10mm.
Report abuse
Dave Haslam
Isnt that strange you saw so much panicing and i saw none? it seems you are in a panic over a few decisions that you dont agree with?.
“I dread to think what would happen if there was a real actual emergency over here, or any proper inclemental conditions”,
You see you have just admitted that you would be in a panic (sort of:) ) if there was a real emergency over here.
Report abuse
Education department made a ridiculous decision this morning, they left it until 7:15am, which is a late decision, and has put a lot of stress on me and my wife decided where our children are going today.
Turns out schools are open, I wonder if we crash we can send the bill to the education department? There’s a red warning by the met department saying more snow, and for parents to make alternative arrangements later in the day to pick up our kids again?
I’d rather keep them home, at least I know they won’t die in this treacherous weather. There are some mum’s out there that cannot control a 4×4 in dry weather, let alone in snow.
Report abuse
What snow?…..
Cant see any.
All the roads were clear and i got to work fine.
Report abuse
Bugz said, “Nurses etc. are expected to drive in yes, because their jobs are a matter of life or death. Hardly comparable to teachers!”
My salary is hardly comparable to a teacher’s salary – can I have a payrise please, as I am brave enough to travel to work in these terrible conditions and save lives all day long?
Report abuse
melc – you can tell your Latvian friend that if we had snow for 3/4 months every year and temperatures of -20 then we would also be better equiped and better adapted. It is precisely because this is (or used to be) a rare occurence that people (and the authorities) do not know what to do.
However, for the most part (schools aside) we are getting on with lives as normal.
The other point is that snow and -20 is easy – the roads are safe to drive on and can be cleared easily. It is this slushy wet stuff that we have when the temperature is hovering around freezing that is a nightmare to control.
The whole “other countries cope fine” line is tiresome and superficial.
Report abuse
Oh good grief.
An old neighbor of mine could discuss nothing but the weather and it’s effects. I sympathised, as, bless, she had nothing else in her life.
The weather is what what it is, people do what they do…..that’s life. Is it really worth a full on discussion?
Carpe diem, build a snowman, count your lucky stars, and stop carping on, already…!
Report abuse
@melc – Where he’s from it’s normal to have snow for up to 3/4 months of the year and temp as low as -20c being normal. And guess what life carries on..
But that’s the point, where countries/communities are used to these conditions they have the equipment and facilities to deal with it. This isn’t exactly a frequent occurence in Guernsey so it’s presumably difficult for the States to justify buying the sort of equipment that these other countries really can’t do without.
Report abuse
bcb
Nope sorry to dissapoint, absolutely no panicking here. Although I do applaud your fantastic piece of straw clutching regarding my opinions on a real disaster.
Usually I find a calm head can lead to an opbjective appraisal of other peoples behaivour, which is why I found saturdays events in particular quite amusing whilst routinely picking up my Saturday paper.
Careful, its supposed to snow again later on, better get 6 loaves in and stock up on the tinned food eh :P
Report abuse
Nurse, Bugz brings up a good point. Come off your high horse for a second. You chose to be a nurse, therefore you must have been aware of what you were being paid? If you wanted a higher paid job why didn’t you train to do something that would bring in a six figure salary? And hey, teachers aren’t exactly rolling in it either, but if you think it is a much better profession I don’t understand why you’re not signing up for it.
Looking at available jobs at the moment http://jobs.health.gov.gg/job_search/s1?nc=10771291198097
It’s not exactly peanuts…
Report abuse
Mr G,
If you are worried about crashing, or are worried about picking your children up, then you are perfectly free to phone the school and say you are keeping them at home until things improve.
Yes, today’s decision was late, yes, it’s messy closing some schools and not others – but believe it or not, we can cope!
Report abuse
ChrisJ
I suspect Mr G is trolling.
Report abuse
Neil, Mr G (and his aliases)are always trolling, dont give him the satisfaction of a mention. it is inane.
Report abuse
So much fuss, so little snow! It’s the same every year even though the forecast predicts snow and ice. Set up a phone tree. Then at least you know that some people are getting to the school, office etc!
Report abuse
I took the decision to keep them at home today, at least this way they have some fun, it’s not like we get snow very often.
I drove into work, however I don’t know why people are going 5mph along Forest Road, it’s ridiculous, you can easily go 25 along there in this weather. The roads were worse today than on Monday, yet the schools are open!
I also see that Jersey closed their schools at 12:30, if they did that here then I’d be fuming, especially if I had taken my kids to school.
Education really need some people with some common sense me thinks!
Report abuse
To all you guys whining about it (get some perspective please ) i understand what you are saying (i used to walk to school years ago when it snowed there no problem then) there wasent 40 000 cars on our roads then though so what thay have a few days off for snow who cares i would rather my nieces have a few days off school the get hit by a car skidding and slidding all over the road cause most guernsey people dont know haw to drive in these conditions ( including me ) im scared off driving in the snow in case i skid and hurt someone (its called being senseable, i understand what people say when thay think its silly to close the schools and such but its safer.. if it was one off your kids hit by a motorist either driving carefully of erreticly your would soon complain saying thay should off been closed (lets hope it never happens that the states listen to you guys who obviosly care more about finding a minder then the safty off your kids ))
Report abuse
It would be helpful if the drivers of vehicles on the roads were more considerate of cyclists and pedestrians young and old in our snowy conditions. I am aware our snow is not comparable with conditions in the British Isles and beyond but without gritted roads, in some steep areas and on mostly narrow roads where there is no room for error it is unacceptable, selfish and dangerous for drivers to speed past individuals travelling carefully, mount pavements that pedestrians are stood on and splash children. PLEASE THINK!
Report abuse
I’m a teacher, not a child minder.
If people complained about the effect of a snow day on their child’s education I would have some sympathy.
But to ask me to baby sit YOUR children so you can go to work – sorry, thats not my job.
Report abuse
Education have said that if you can’t take/get your children to school they ‘would understand’ Radio Guernsey quote. Your choice, no problem. Those who can will
Report abuse
Neil my daughter came home from school with those same instructions parents may use their discretion to keep their child at home. Also for those harking on all the time about people in 4×4 not everyone has 4×4 and you will be surprised at how many people walk to and from school with their children esp amherst/vauvert/la mare etc. whilst it may be safe to drive the pavements can be pretty hairy at times. I would not wish to risk my childs life trying to walk to school on someone who thinks they can or cannot drive just because work is more important to them. The amount of stories i heard on monday about cars skidding into walls or near misses was shocking what happened if there was a child and mum etc walking there… There will become a moment in time when your prioritise change and you look at what is or is not important. People should certainly be higher on the list then anything else. How many of you were more concerned about getting to work than determining if your neighbour/parents/grandparents etc were ok and did not need anything. It makes you think.
Report abuse
Winter tyres make a huge difference in all conditions below 7 degrees. They are all that is required for road driving unles you need to drive up Ben Nevis.
Mud & Snow pattern tyres are not ‘winter tyres. Winter tyres may be used all year round, they are virtually indistinguishable from normal tyres, aside from their superior performance in all condition below 7 degrees, ice included.
Report abuse
Also Guernsey doesn’t have any MOT. Some of the cars that are out there are quite frankly death traps. The people driving them aren’t particularly responsible (otherwise they would get their car up to scratch) so safety isn’t really paramount in their heads. Take a corner a little too fast, icy conditions, no tred on the tyre, young inexperienced driver and you have a potential catastrophe.
Report abuse
melc
I have a few Latvian friends too, And they tell me that many people are dieing in there homes this time of year due to the cold and bad weather so tell your friend that life does`nt carry on as normal over there at all.
Dave Haslam
Sorry Dave it just sounded like you were in a bit of a panic over evryone elses panicing?
Do you want me to pick up your papers from the shop for you or could you drop off my bread while i sit here in a state of panic? :)
I just wonder how many of the complaints are comeing from the ones who are working outside compared to the ones working in a nice warm enviroment? us builders would love to be told to stay home, i think?. :)
Report abuse
Mr LG
1. As far as I’m concerned it goes without saying that the vast majority of parents are concerned about their children’s education.
2. No parent I know of treats school like a babysitting service. Nevertheless, the role of a school and its staff is not only to provide an education; it is also obliged to look after the health, safety and wellbeing of its students.
3. Most island schools are public services and parents are legally obliged to send their children there. It’s not a choice unless they choose to home-school which is simply not an option for many parents.
4. Some parent have to work to make ends meet and all they were doing was (a) stating the simple fact that they have to make alternative arrangements if the school closes and (b) expressing their frustrations that some schools closed their doors unnecessarily.
Report abuse
Mr LG: “I’m a teacher, not a child minder.”
Fair enough, but I think what most people wanted was for the schools to be open at the head’s discretion and for parents to send kids if they could safely do so. Your area may have had terrible road conditions but most did not. Would you have a problem with that?
Report abuse
I can’t believe some people are saying that all of us should have to walk to school! Admittedly, there was a major overeaction but I live in St Martins and go to the Grammar School. With pavements like there were and inconsiderate drivers soaking you as they drive past, I for one was never going to walk to school
Report abuse
i got to le beucamp and ive been told if its colder than 15 degrees in class there will be no school
Report abuse
In the 50′s & 60′s schools only closed if the loos froze
Buses donned their snow chains & drove up St Julians Ave/Grange and got to the top
Pavements (and roads) were gritted
In the 80′s was quite happy walking to work, a 5 mile trip for many work days 3 winters in a row
In the 90′s drivers were not safe, no concern for pedestrians like loose tyre chains flailing like a hedge cutter. 4×4 using our hilly lanes as a testing area, making it impossible to even safely walk to the shops.
21st Century: What a farce, people who can get out and drive live in a cocoon of warmth and no idea of whats happening around them! Driving like it’s a summer day and cussing holdups
Report abuse
When I was at school in the 60′s a young boy in my class slipped on ice and was killed by a car.He was 7 years old.
If education have saved one life, well good on them.
It would be the same moaners making a fuss if their little Johnnie or Molly was knocked over.
Lets face it,it is exceptional weather, Guernsey has not had snow (apart from last year) for a long time.
Is it really the kids education the parents are thinking of or is it, oh dear a day off my holidays.
Report abuse
It’s a really tough decision to make – if the schools don’t open, parents have to make alternative arrangements for their kids so they can go to work. If they open and then close part way through the day, someone has to pick the children up. If they stay open, there is the potential for accidents, either on the way to or from school or during school-time.
It may seem over the top but in the January snow, an 11 year old girl died after slipping on ice in Blackburn and suffering a severe head injury.
I am also a nurse (previously from Guernsey but now in the UK) and we are expected to make our way to work or, if we’re unable to do so, to our nearest hospital. If my daughter’s school closes, I have arranged with other mums to have her if it’s a day I’m working. Likewise, if I’m off, they can call me and I’ll have their children.
I’d suggest getting on the phone and calling a group of parents to arrange childcare. Even if you are all meant to be working, if 5 of you got together and agreed to look after one anothers children, then you’d only potentially have to take 1 day off a week which is better than having to take every day off. Even better if you can find someone who doesn’t work who can help you out. As one often finds out, if plans are made in advance, they’re often not needed.
Report abuse
Marie says “in the January snow, an 11 year old girl died after slipping on ice in Blackburn”.
That is no reason to shut schools in itself. The question should be: are children more at risk going in to school in the snow, or staying off school?
Given that the children I went past today were carrying toboggans and throwing snowballs at each other, I’d say the answer to that question is very much up in the air.
Your argument simply doesn’t stack up, I’m afraid. “If they stay open, there is the potential for accidents”… yes, there is. On every single school day of the year. So you want to ban school, full stop?
“It may seem over the top”… yes, it does. It is.
Report abuse
At the end of the day you cant keep every body happy just chill out and take it as it comes.
Report abuse
Firstly let’s get this straight, Teachers do go in when there is snow. Just because they announce that the schools are closed it doesn’t mean that those who work in them do not go into work or work from home. The reason the schools do close is due to the safety/liability and concerns for the young people who travel in by buses/taxi’s etc. It is also due to pupil traffic in treacherous conditions.
People need to STOP blaming Teachers and whinging. They DO go into work and Prep at home if they can’t get in. They do not control the weather and decisions. It’s about time people stopped judging without finding out what really happens and just moaning due to hearsay.
Report abuse
What would happen if this weather continues for the rest of the winter, bar a few weeks, we could easily get these cold conditions till March! I dont know what the answer is, (more gritting of pavements and hills around the schools maybe??) but I know there are several schools in this Island where the pupils could have made it ‘safely’ to school, even if it was a little later than 9am. Its all about living in a ‘blame’ culture I’m afraid – if someone gets hurt, the Education Dept get blamed!! We shouldnt be blaming the teachers either, they are not the people making these decisions.
Report abuse
> Local Guern – Spot on!
Report abuse
What an absolute load of rubbish ive just read!
who’s panicking? – looks like everyone is going way over the top here! If it wasnt for ‘know it all’ people who think they can run the states better than anyone – the schools would open.
They dont open because you lot would be the first to moan when a child hurts themselves.
Why should any bus driver have to deal with you lot? i know i wouldnt!
Report abuse
As global cooling progresses and the polar ice-cap eventually creeps across from Weymouth, the Education Office will need to think about contingency plans to cope with months of snow. (Climatology is not science but simply history with extra numbers).
Pseudonym: retired teacher.
Report abuse
Heres something to think about for all those who say its safe to drive in these conditions wether its to school or not. Apparently some insurance companies wont pay out for damage caused during ice or snow. Their reasoning is if police have advised only to drive if its essential then its your own fault if you venture out and have an accident as your insurance wont cover you.
Report abuse
@Rachael
This advice was not given by Guernsey police. Also, if your information is as reliable as your punctuation and spelling, I very much doubt what you say.
Report abuse
rachael
I think that’s No 101 on the list of Insurance companies get out clauses
Report abuse
How can some of you moan at the fact the children had a couple of days off school due to snowy/icy conditions. I am a single working mother, who too had to take time off of work BUT i totally agreed with the educations decision.. Yes people were still out driving, Yes people were still going to work, and YES it was VERY icy out there.. my daughters safety and well being comes first, i would NOT want her out there in that weather. Many of you are ranting about a couple of days of you having to ‘change your routine’ SHOULD YOUR CHILDREN NOT COME BEFORE YOUR CAREER?!’ We are only talking three days max here guys, chill out won’t you!! The children were home, safe and enjoying what little snow we DID have!
Give the education and the teachers a break for godsake!!
Report abuse
I think the children get to much time off school as it is ,its funny how they can come into town ice skating, but cant make it to school.
Report abuse
Well said Single Working Mother, I agree with you entirely, surely a childs welfare comes first,but it obviously does not for some people.
Maybe education should look at its policies, but for the last I dont know how many years we have not seen any snow, until last year.I dont really know why some people have children in the first place.
Report abuse
Chris, the last summer holidays was one of the shortest ever, so how you can say they’re off too often I do not know.
With your lack of punctuation it seems like you missed a few days once or twice whilst in full time education.
Report abuse
Good news, I am off on the exodus, no more the troll….bye all & soz.
Report abuse
Cheerio P B – let us know where you end up so we can all avoid it when we join the droves….
Report abuse
PB
Please let us know the precise date well in advance so that we can get the States to vote for a public holiday
Report abuse
MR G,has got his? or her? nickers in a twist again .
Report abuse