07 Nov 2018
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 2018-2019 BUSH FIRE SEASON
Dear Parents and Carers
As we have now entered the Bushfire season I am writing to let you know about arrangements for our school for the current bush fire season. Our school is within a Bushfire Prone Area due to our proximity to the Royal National Park. At this time of the year we review our Emergency Management Plan and practise our Evacuation drills so that all students know the plan and we can identify any potential issues before a real situation occurs. We regularly clear our grounds of fuel, have worked with the Sutherland Shire Council to ensure the bushfire break zone is maintained and regularly review procedures and fire ratings.
In the event of a bushfire or emergency all classes, teachers and staff would relocate to the school hall, where we would stay until the danger had passed or until further advice from Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue NSW or the Rural Fire Service- if instructed to evacuate, the designated off-site evacuation point for a bushfire is Miranda Public School- Kingsway Miranda. All students would be relocated by bus coordinated by Emergency services. Students will not be permitted to proceed unsupervised to their homes because of possible exposure to the threat of bushfires. Collection of students in an emergency is strictly by parents only.Students will not be released to grandparents, relatives, neighbours or friends. If parents are unable to collect students, staff will remain with students until a time that is suitable for parents to collect.
Our school has been identified as a school at increased risk if a bush fire were to break out on a day when a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is issued for our area. To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students and staff, the NSW Department of Education has determined that on days when a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is issued for our area, the school will temporarily cease operations for the day(s) the rating is current and alternative arrangements will be put in place. This is based on information obtained through a bush fire assessment of our school arranged by the Department.
A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating is likely to occur on a very small number of days during the bush fire season, if at all. In the event of Grays Point Public School being declared non- operational (closed) for safety reasons prior to the next school day commencing, the following measures will be put in place:
Principal or nominee will notify parents, staff, GPAC coordinator and any community users of the school site by the SZAPP alert, and email and the school website will be updated. Students will be requested to stay at home on these days.
- Signs will be displayed on the gate entrances of the school at the front of the school (Angle RD ) and at the back gate (Grays Point Oval) indicating that the school is non-operational (closed).
- Parents/carers are to take responsibility for their children.
- Parents should keep regular checks on the fire ratings by accessing: RFS website, NSW RFS Fires Near Me Smart Phone application
RFS Bushfire Information Line 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679737) Emergency Centre ABC 702 (preferred) or the local radio station 2SSR for bushfire or weather warnings and advice.
Once an alert or email is sent to declare the school non-operational (closed) due to bushfire conditions, the school will remain closed until further advice is sent via SZAPP and email.
The school will only receive notification of a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating after school hours the day before the forecast is issued. To assist me in contacting all parents please ensure that you have provided the school with up-to-date home or after hours contact details and ensure you have the School Zine SZAPP app on your smartphone.
Up to date bush fire information will also be available to you on the Department’s bush fire safety website. The link for this site is as follows:
NSW Public Schools Safety website:
https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety
We provide this information not to alarm anyone, but to ensure that our plan is clear and that all families are aware of the process. We understand that in an emergency anxiety is high and situations can quickly become distressing. We ask for your co-operation in this situation and work with us to keep all students are safe. We have regular training in this area and are in regular contact with the RFS.
Please contact the school on 9524 3096 if you would like any further information about this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Narelle Betts Smith