In a string of attacks, classrooms were broken into, laptop computers stolen, a garbage bin set alight inside a classroom, and most disturbingly, paint thrown all around a classroom.

It is expected that damage will be many thousands of dollars.

Parkes High School principal, Neryle Smurthwaite said it was the most malicious attack at the school in her nine

years there, and Careers Advisor, Keiran Duncan agreed it was the worst he had seen in his almost 20 years.

Police forensic officers and detectives are investigating the damage and while disruption to classes will be minimal, it has created considerable concern among teachers and students.

It appears there were three different incidents – on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

The PE and Science classrooms were broken into and in all, three teacher laptop computers stolen, the room trashed and in the Science room, a garbage bin set alight, burning through to the floor.

But the worst case – the incident which has the school community most concerned – was the attack

on Mr Duncan’s personal office and adjoining classroom overnight Sunday.

“We have vandalism from time to time at the school, and generally it is graffiti, or a break and enter and some minor theft,” Mrs Smurthwaite, who was called to the school at about 5.30am, said.

“But on this occasion, it was much more. Personal items were damaged, liquid thrown all around Mr Duncan’s office affecting most of his teaching resources which may not be able to be saved.

“The adjoining classroom was splattered with green paint and virtually every piece of furniture, computer, wall, floor, students’ work, teaching resources etc affected.

“Whoever did this broke open a window to get in and it certainly seems as if this particular area was targeted.”

Mrs Smurthwaite said it was difficult to comment on the offenders, except to say they seemed to know where the offices and things were located – something someone just coming in off the street would not.

“We will now lodge a Breach of Security report and hopefully, the department will meet costs of repairs, replacement and tidying up,” she said.

“The school has a very small maintenance budget, but as this was a break-in, it should be covered by insurance.

“In the meantime, the students and some teachers will need to re-located.

“What can’t be measured is the potential loss of personal documents and teachers’ course preparations, in some cases, years of work.

“It will take quite some time to see what can be salvaged.”