Numbers were down at schools across fire-affected areas on Monday, but those who made it into the classroom were keen for it to be “business as usual” after a tough weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Timboon P12 principal Sean Fitzpatrick said the school was continuing to operate “as best we can” on Monday.
“It’s been emotionally and physically challenging but we’ve got a smile on our faces for the kids arriving and we’ll keep on going,” he said.
“We haven’t heard of any significant loss but, of course, if there is we’ll have our student well-being staff member on site for our school community.
“We’ve been lucky. Other than the loss of stock, fencing, and land, and I’m sure we’ll hear more in the coming days.”
Despite student numbers being significantly down at Camperdown College, acting principal Clare Monk said it was “business as usual”.
“We made a decision to cancel all eight bus routes yesterday in the safety interests of the students,” she said.
“We are fine but staff members here have suffered significant loss.”
Cobden schools – the primary school, technical school and Hampden Specialist School – will not be running buses or formal classes on Tuesday, although schools will be open and staff in attendance.
Hawkesdale P12 College principal Colan Distel said the school and buses were up and running following CFA advice.
“It’s good for the kids to get back to school. It’s quite scary for kids and we will offer support,” he said.
Mercy Regional College principal Darren Egberts said the the school would again not be operating from its O’Keeffe campus in Noorat on Tuesday, but all students would be accommodated for classes at the McAuley campus in Camperdown.
“My own thoughts and prayers are with those in our school community who faced (and may continue to face) hardship,” Dr Egberts said in a letter to parents.
“I firmly believe that the community of Mercy Regional College in partnership with our broader local communities will provide extraordinary support as we move towards recovery and, for some, rebuilding.”
Terang College operated on Monday with numbers significantly down. Most students who made it to school lived within the township itself, year 9-12 leader Matthew Irving said.
Mr Irving said the school had full internet access and no power outages and welcomed members of the community who were without these services to come to the school.
Noorat Primary School was open for classes, but just three of the school's 16 students were in attendance. More than half the 22-student population at Panmure Primary School was in class on Monday.
