Schools face heat

By Kath Gannaway
SCHOOLS in the Yarra Valley will know on Thursday whether they will shut down on days deemed ‘Code Red’ (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating.
Premier John Brumby announced last week that schools and children’s services in the 52 areas identified last month by fire authorities as being at high fire risk would be included on the ‘must close’ register.
Some schools outside those areas that may also be deemed to be at high risk due to geographic and environmental factors would also be included.
The Yarra Valley is not among the 52 identified high fire risk areas for this coming season but there is a high expectation among principals the Mail spoke to on Monday that their schools would be on the “also” list.
Schools will attend a Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) briefing on Thursday.
Mr Brumby said ahead of a Code Red Day the DEECD would issue immediate warnings to staff, parents and children through its website and through individual schools and children’s services.
“We have taken the decision that on a day which is declared a Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating, the safest option for schools identified as being at high risk this fire season is to close and we want clear systems in place for the fire season so that every school community that may be affected is fully informed.”
He said the register would be finalised in consultation with individual schools and fire authorities.
“The BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) will declare in advance the Fire Danger Rating for each day and in each weather district in consultation with fire agencies,” Mr Brumby said.
Healesville High School principal George Perini said he would know whether the school had made the list after the meeting.
“Given our experience and the town’s experience, I would think so,” he said. “But I have not been told as yet.”
Mick Corr, principal at Chum Creek, also said they would expect to be on the list.
He said while closures were potentially difficult, particularly for working parents, the Department (DEECD) was proposing schools would ideally get three days’ notice that there may be a Code Red Day, and that schools would definitely know by midday the day before. He said that would then not be rescinded.
Toolangi Principal Kay Rowe said her school would close.
She said the Toolangi community regarded the mountain as very high risk.
“On Black Saturday we had very few children on the mountain by lunchtime,” she said.
“We are a fairly fire-ready community.”
She said the school council would discuss this week how the closure would be implemented in terms of school and community needs.
Healesville Primary School principal Peter Leonard said he would go on the Department’s advice following the briefing on Thursday.
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said the pre-emptive list of schools that would close on a Code Red Day followed a detailed assessment and audit process into the preparedness of all government and non-government schools and children’s services following the February fires.