I write to express appreciation and thanks to all the public services who came together to deal with the devastating fire at Thornwell School last Friday morning.

To the fire brigade, who most efficiently stopped the blaze from spreading to the junior school building and the Reddings sheltered accommodation complex next door, and who continued working until late Friday afternoon checking for toxicity and damping down the site; to the police, who cordoned off the road, managed the traffic, secured the site, and are now investigating the cause of the fire; and to Monmouthshire County Council Education Department who were immediately there, putting emergency plans into action, both for temporary accommodation for the children, and for informing all parents of the emergency programme.

Many community groups, local businesses and individuals have immediately stepped forward with offers of help, and indeed, the whole town is pulling together to try to relieve this tragic situation.

We really do belong to a warm and supportive community.

– Marian Lewis, school governor.