Full Breakdown
Rats Chew Through Core Fibre-Optic Cable, Prompting Two-Day Closure of Hillmorton High School
6/23/2026, 4:39:28 AM
Incident Overview
Hillmorton High School in Christchurch, New Zealand, closed its campus for two days after rats damaged a core fibre-optic cable that serves as the school’s primary data connection. The damage, discovered over the weekend, crippled key systems across the campus and raised health-and-safety concerns for the large student body. The school announced the closure in a newsletter on Tuesday, 23 June 2026.
Background: Core Fibre Connection at Hillmorton High School
The school’s network relies on a core fibre cable that provides the main connection for the school. The principal described this link as “the main connection to the school,” underscoring its central role in daily operations.
Timeline of the Disruption
- Weekend (June 20-21, 2026) – Rats gnaw through the core fibre cable, causing a loss of connectivity.
- Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – Principal Sam Ainsworth informs the school community of the damage via a newsletter and announces a two-day closure.
- Wednesday-Thursday, 24-25 June 2026 – Planned closure period for repairs and safety assessments.
Impact on Campus Systems and Student Safety
The severed fibre link crippled key systems across the campus; the source does not specify which systems were affected. The principal expressed concern that the loss of connectivity could compromise the health and safety of “large numbers of students,” prompting the precautionary shutdown.
Official Statement from Hillmorton High School
In the newsletter, Principal Sam Ainsworth described the incident as a “cabling issue with a core fibre cable connection that has been severely damaged by rodents over the weekend.” He emphasized that the damage jeopardized the school’s ability to manage student safety and therefore warranted a temporary closure.
Verbatim Quote
> “Unfortunately, we have a cabling issue with a core fibre cable connection that has been severely damaged by rodents over the weekend.” — Sam Ainsworth, Principal, Hillmorton High School
> “This fibre connection is our main connection to the school, and as a result of the damage, I have concerns about managing the health and safety of large numbers of students.” — Sam Ainsworth, Principal, Hillmorton High School
Conflicting Reports & Information Gaps
The source does not specify which campus systems were rendered inoperable, the exact number of students affected, or the species of rodents beyond “rats.” No external agencies or pest-control experts are quoted, and details of the repair timeline remain undisclosed.
Next Steps: Repairs and Reopening
Hillmorton High School will remain closed for two days following the fibre-optic damage. The school has not provided a definitive date for full restoration of services beyond the stated closure period.
