Inuvik (May 21/04) - More than 100 senior secondary school students turned up at Ingamo Hall Friday morning to collect class assignments from teachers.

Samuel Hearne secondary school students and staff have been restricted from entering the school building since its foyer roof collapsed May 5.

And with Monday's fire, the return date has been pushed back indefinitely.

"A lot more came out than we expected so we're pleased," said computer technology teacher Tara Trenholm. "It was better than the usual attendance, so that was positive."

Because of the school's closure, teachers were unable to get to their class material, making the job of preparing assignments for students difficult.

Alternate resource materials from several locations around town had to be obtained and teachers spent a considerable amount of time seeking available photocopiers to reproduce their assignments.

"They've been helping us get our homework together and that's cool," said appreciative Grade 11 student Freddy Eastman. "The teachers care and they want us to finish school."

School principal Peter Hough says that in order to make up the lost time, classes will run through the usual exam period and some exams will be of an abridged nature.

"The point I want to make is that if students come for 100 per cent of the remaining year, do the work that is required, then they'll graduate," he said Friday.

"Overall the attendance this year has been pathetic and I think that's been the most disappointing thing of all for teachers. We've got kids who've missed half the year already and people are worried about missing five days."