Schools back fire closure

By Tania Martin
SCHOOL closures across the Dandenongs on code red catastrophic fire days this summer have been labelled the ‘safest option’.
But one principal believes the level of risk would just be shifted from school to home.
Thousands of hills students from 92 schools and children’s services will close on days recognised as potentially catastrophic.
This comes as the State Government released a list of more than 728 schools and child services to close on those days.
This also includes community houses that offer childcare.
Sherbrooke Community School principal Robert Shepherd said students were better off down the mountain. “It’s just going to be too dangerous for them to be here (school),” he said.
But Mr Shepherd said keeping kids away from school could also be a danger to some.
“There is still the chance of them being left home looking after their younger brothers and sisters with no way to get out,” he said.
“We shut the school and then the kids could still be in danger in their own home.”
Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said a register of schools earmarked for closure had now been set up.
“We have taken the decision that on a day which is declared as catastrophic, the safest option for schools identified at high risk is to close,” Ms Pike said.
Under the system schools and other services will be given three days’ notice of the impending closures.
The day before the expected closure schools will send home messages to all parents.
Even if the fire danger rating is reduced overnight schools would still remain closed.
“There are more than 1 million children, teachers and staff in government and non government schools and children’s services throughout Victoria and we are taking strong action to do everything we can to protect their safety in the event of a fire,” Ms Pike said.
Monbulk Primary School principal Ray Yates said closing schools was the safest option.
“I think the government had to take a line to make sure the children are the safest they can be which is with their parents,” he said.
“If they are with their parents they can evacuate on those days.”
Mr Yates said none of the parents had voiced any concerns over the closures.
“They accept it’s likely to be only one or two days a year and their first priority, like us, is the safety of the children,” he said.
Mr Shepherd said it was not always going to be the catastrophic days that posed a threat.
“Fire doesn’t necessarily happens on catastrophic or total fire band days and we still need a safer place for the students as a last resort.”
His school is on the list for an upgrade but Mr Shepherd believes it will be too late for this summer.
“We need somewhere to go if there is a fire and it’s not on one of those code red days,” he said.
A full list of the schools is available by logging onto www.education.vic.gov.au/about/fires.