Lessons came to a temporary halt at Spice Valley Middle School yesterday after rain flooded the ground floor.

Children had to remain in assembly for part of the first day of school while staff battled with the water.

School Principal Patricia Holder said: "The flood was in part caused by a stuffed drain, but there were also leaks in the roof.

"Workers cleared the drain and we were able to get on with the day. We got off to a later start than we would have liked to -- then it ran smoothly.'' She predicted lessons would run as normal today although the roof leak has yet to be fixed.

She said: "Works and Engineering are looking at it - I am sure they will do it as soon as they are able to get to it.'' But she said further progress had been hampered by the wet weather. Work on a new $11 million dollar wing at the Middle Road, Warwick school started in March but a Government spokeswoman denied it was to blame for yesterday's flooding. However she said Education ministry people would be touring the school tomorrow to look at the situation.

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