Each year, to prepare for bushfires and grassfires, schools and early childhood services complete a range of activities.
The Department of Education runs an annual fire risk assessment of schools and early childhood services. They are allocated a category of risk (Categories 0 to 4) and are published on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). Our school is noted as being at BARR Category 3.
All schools and early childhood services listed on the BARR and Category 4 list will also close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district.
When the Bureau of Meteorology provides public fire danger rating forecasts or fire weather warnings, they use fire weather district areas. In Victoria, there are 9 fire weather districts, which are based on Local Government Area boundaries. Our school is in the South West fire district.
As part of preparing our school for the fire season, we have updated and completed our Emergency Management Plan and have organised for additional ground works and gutter clearing to occur from October 2024 to April 2025.
What does this mean for our school?
Our school has been identified as being at potential risk of bushfire or grassfire and is designated as a BARR Category 3 school.
Our school will close on a day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in South West fire district.
What is the department’s policy?
The department’s Bushfire and Grassfire Preparedness Policy requires all schools and early childhood services on the BARR and the Category 4 list to close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district. All school bus routes which travel in or through a district with Catastrophic fire danger must also be cancelled.
When will our school be closed due to Catastrophic fire danger?
Closure of the school due to a forecast Catastrophic day will be confirmed on the day prior and we will provide families with advice before the end of the school day. Any information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you by Compass and email.
Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, even if the weather forecast changes. This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child. It is also important to be aware that:
Families are encouraged to action their Bushfire Survival Plan on Catastrophic fire danger rating days. On such days, children should never be left at home alone or in the care of older children.
For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advises that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.
What can families and the school community do to help us prepare?
You can find more information on emergencies, warnings and preparedness actions here:
