Mount Maunganui Intermediate will be closed today after a tornado ripped through the area last night.
Principal Lisa Morresey said she was glad her team had made the call to close the school late last night.
Image 1 of 29: Damage from a tornado that hit Mount Maunagnui properties and BayPark stadium. Photo/George Novak Links ave 14 May 2015 Bay of Plenty Times Photograph by George Novak
"It's just heartbreaking really," said Mrs Morresey
"We've had quite a bit of damage."
Mrs Morresey said the school grounds were a mess from debris and a trampoline had gone through a window.
Read more:
•Fire services busy overnight
•Mini tornado hits Mount
A refurbished turf the school had been working towards for five years was also ruined.
Mrs Morresey said the school's own weather station measured a wind speed of 173km/hr.
"We're just lucky because it could have been worse." said Mrs Morresey.
Mount Maunganui College will be open today.
Here are some photos of the destruction at Mount Maunganui Intermediate
Audrey Wilson had repeated falls, a fractured arm and sepsis. She died in hospital.
