“IN TIMES of darkness, we stand together.”

Those are the words of Coed Eva primary head teacher Gill Ellis who said the strong community spirit in Torfaen is what has enabled her school to overcome challenges following a devastating fire.

Just over a year ago, pupils at the Cwmbran school were preparing to return to lessons following the festive break but in the early hours of 2016, the school would be propelled into the spotlight for a devastating and disastrous reason. For on January 1, a fire spread onto the school’s infant and nursery block, causing the complete destruction of that centre of learning.

In the darkness, the plumes of smoke could still be seen but the amount of damage to the school building could not be fully appreciated until light broke on New Year’s Day. Just 11 days after the fire – on January 11 – 410 of the 510 pupils returned to lessons, albeit in a reduced educational space.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, head teacher Gill Ellis said in an assembly to her returning students: “In times of darkness, we stand together. We are a true values school.”

One year on, Mrs Ellis believes that her statement during that assembly has never been truer.

She said: “It was an emotional time for everyone; the parents, the pupils, the staff and the governors.

“I feel that we embraced the disaster that hit us and we’ve had a very strong community spirit and team behind us.

“We’ve certainly done that. The wider community, those outside of Cwmbran and Torfaen have been a great support as well.”

The school made the conscious effort to keep the youngest children from the nursery, who had lost their block in the blaze, away for an extra week, to allow the older children to return to a sense of normality at the school. The nursery children would return one week later, and on reflection, the head teacher accepts that although the fire was tragic, it could have been much worse.

“It was a terrible, terrible disaster but no-one was hurt in what happened here. We’ve got to look ahead now and we are certainly at that stage with the authorities”, said Mrs Ellis.

As the Argus reported previously, plans are already in place to rebuild permanent school buildings at Coed Eva, which will utilise the blueprints which were used at the newly-constructed Blenheim Road Primary School. The proposals are currently at the pre-consultation phase and involve building on the grassy land adjacent to the main school building, close to the school’s current forest school.

The school for the past year have had to use temporary classrooms. Despite the turbulence of 2016, Mrs Ellis retains her pride in her role in leading the school into its brighter future.

“I feel privileged to be here as the school’s head teacher and it shows that with a wide community and supportive team behind you, great things can be achieved,” said Mrs Ellis.

“The children have been amazing throughout. They’ve been so positive and resilient.”

In the weeks that followed the fire, a string of fundraising events were held including a crowdfunding page, musical events and a fun run fundraiser around Cwmbran. One of the organisers of the ultimately 6k run was Fiona Cross, the ward councillor for Coed Eva.

“I remember walking home from my sister’s new year’s party and I saw the plumes of smoke in the distance but not knowing what it was,” said the Cllr, recounting her memories of January 1 last year, when the school was alight.

“I walked towards it with my friend and I was devastated when I realised what it was that had caught fire. I am not ashamed to say that I was crying.

“It was a real blow to all of us. I was a governor at the school and I am very attached to it and those who come here – the students, the staff, the parents and the governors.”

Cllr Cross added that the emergency services did well to protect the fire from spreading to the main building, dousing a connecting part of the school.

“I was absolutely devastated at the time,” she said.

“In the daylight, to see the entire infants and nursery section completely gone was shocking. I was nervous at to what the future would hold for the school.

“But obviously, everyone pulled together at an important time.”

In total, the fundraising for Coed Eva Primary School raised almost £32,000, and the fund will be managed by members of the PTA to accommodate for the children’s needs.

“I could not be prouder of the Coed Eva community. It restores your faith in people as everyone has pulled together,” said cllr Cross.

“That goes for people outside of Coed Eva as people from Cwmbran and Torfaen as well as neighbouring counties and councils have supported us. We’ve had schools from Newport contact us saying they want to raise money and help. We’ve been blown away by the response of the past year from this community and those around us.”

The two politicians for Torfaen have added their praise to the members of the community, who have helped to support Coed Eva during their testing year.

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: “I think obviously the entire community was very, very shocked by what happened and a lot of us can remember getting the news through of what had gone out and the destruction that was caused.

“I have to say it is great credit to the local community the way that they reacted, came together and coped with the situation and working with the local council constructively together with the community.

“They have showed, once again, the strength of our community in times of adversity,” he said.

Lynne Neagle AM echoed the sentiments of her Westminster counterpart.

“It was a devastating event which hit the community hard,” said Ms Neagle.

“In adversity the community in Coed Eva rallied together, working closely with the council to support the children and staff affected.

“They have done a marvellous job in the face of that devastation and they can all be incredibly proud of what they have achieved so far.”

To date, no-one has been charged for the fire which caused the damage, although seven men and boys aged between 14 and 21 from the Cwmbran area were released without charge by Gwent Police – six at the end of October and one in November.

Gwent Police’s detective inspector Alun Davies said: “I would like to thank the community for their assistance and co-operation throughout this investigation.

“This incident had a great impact on the local community and I believe that somebody out there holds vital information that would assist us in bringing those responsible to justice.

“Anyone with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 143 01/01/16.”

But, for the moment, whoever caused the fire that part-destroyed the infant and nursery block at Coed Eva Primary School remains unknown.