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. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...