BST Update 30-03-2011
We are pleased to inform you that the Board of Trustees decided at a meeting yesterday afternoon that the School will reopen with normal school hours from Monday 4 April. The Easter break will remain as planned from Monday 11 April to Monday 25 April inclusive. Term 3 will begin as planned on Tuesday 26 April. Special provision will be made for this summer’s GCSE and AS level students during the Easter break.
This decision was taken after consultation with the British Embassy, with the Japanese authorities and after gathering facts and expert analysis from all available sources. The trustees believe, on the basis of this, that there has been an improvement in the overall situation in Tokyo in the last week, and in particular that:
1. At Fukushima there are indications of progress since the last decision of the trustees.
2. The number of earthquakes in North Japan has continued to decrease; there were 38 magnitude 6.0 earthquakes in the first six days after the 11 March earthquake, 9 such earthquakes in the six days after that, and 4 in the third six day period up to yesterday.
3. There are no longer major food shortages. It is possible to buy food which clearly indicates the place of production so that all produce grown in the affected areas can be easily avoided.
4. Water is being very carefully monitored and measurements are publicised daily. On 23 March it was reported that children under the age of one year should not drink the water in Tokyo - the restriction was lifted the following day when levels of radioactivity dropped and there have not been any further restrictions.
5. There are now relatively few power cuts in the suburbs of Tokyo compared to one week ago, which has improved transportation into and out of central Tokyo. There have been no scheduled power cuts in Shibuya ward; in Setagaya ward, the scheduled power cuts in the Showa area have not occurred.
6. Transportation is much better than a week ago and there are no longer major petrol shortages.
The Trustees have taken the decision after careful consideration of the relevant factors, including the British Government’s travel advice, which is being kept under constant review.
We are conscious that many parents will still be concerned about the safety of their children and we are therefore paying particular attention to safety measures. The school buildings have been inspected by construction experts, who have found no structural faults. We continue to have emergency stores of food, water and emergency blankets at both sites. In the event of an emergency situation combined with a power or communication failure which means that we are unable to communicate with parents, all students will be kept at school with their teachers until collected, or overnight if necessary.
The staff are very much looking forward to welcoming all of you back to a normal routine. We thank all parents for their patience and support during this time.
Yours sincerely,
David Williams David Fitton
Head of School Chair, Board of Trustees
PDF version of the letter is here
