Dear Parents, Caregivers and Families

As summer is approaching our school has commenced preparations for the upcoming bushfire season. We are developing a plan should a fire emergency occur in our area during school hours. Our Bushfire plan takes into consideration the safety of students and staff while at school as well as families needing to collect their children from school and make their way home safely.

In general terms, should the Rural Fire Service or relevant Authority escalate a Fire Alert Level to ‘Watch and Act’, our school leadership team, in consultation with the Catholic Schools Office, will determine if it remains safe and viable for our school to remain open. Please be assured that our Bushfire Management Plan will always err on the side of caution.

Should we need to change the opening status of the school, you will be advised via Compass and text message. We ask that all parents or adults in a household download Compass and have their phone on and available throughout the summer bushfire season. This message will clearly state that if the school will be open or remain closed for the next day, or if the school is closing and the request and instructions to collect your child/ren.

Should the opening status of the school change, this will also be posted on our school website (and social media). I take this opportunity to remind you during this time to avoid calling the school to ask if the school is open or closed as we must remain easily contactable to first authorities. Please rely on the information distributed via Compass, text message, school website and school social media.

It is strongly recommended that you and your family consider developing your own plan of what you will do in a bushfire event. Please talk to your children about what to expect if there is a bushfire near your home or the school. The Rural Fire Service has resources available to help you with your family bushfire plan.

We are confident in our planning and also hopeful we will not need to action it this coming season.

Troy Baker
Principal