A devastating wildfire in Kingston left the Cabot Academy in ruins in Western Bay. Principal Jackie King shared how students at Persalvic School Complex in Victoria warmly welcomed her after the tragedy. Many former Cabot Academy students are now attending Tricon Elementary in Bay de Verde, a change from their expected back-to-school plans. King expressed the unexpected challenges faced by the community in adjusting to a new normal without their beloved school.
Staff members from Cabot Academy are now working at Tricon and Persalvic to support the displaced students. King emphasized the importance of familiar faces in the new school environments for the students’ comfort and adjustment. Despite the loss of Cabot Academy, King’s emotional attachment to the school was profound, having attended and taught there for many years. Visiting the school post-fire was a heartbreaking experience for her, seeing the once-beautiful building reduced to rubble.
The school’s playground and shed miraculously survived the fire, offering a glimmer of hope for the community. King highlighted the deep-rooted connection rural Newfoundland communities have with their schools, emphasizing the values of respect, appreciation, kindness, and genuineness instilled at Cabot Academy. Reflecting on the impact of the fire, King lamented the destruction while finding solace in the resilience of the playground and the enduring spirit of the community.
