Code Red

By Kelly Yates
SCHOOLS, kindergartens and child care centres in Endeavour Hills, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren South and Berwick have been included in a list of 728 children’s services that will close on a day that is declared a Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Danger Rating this fire season.
The list released by the Victorian Government last Thursday includes Bridgewater Kindergarten, St Paul Apostle North Primary School, Chalcot Lodge Kinder, Mossgiel Park Kinder, Remma Kindergarten, Chalcot Lodge Primary School, Gleneagles Secondary College, Mossgiel Park Primary School, Fountain Gate Kinder, Jindalee Kindergarten, Talbingo Kindergarten, Narre Warren North Kinder, Narre Warren North Primary School and Littlecroft Kindergarten.
The local facilities are among those determined by the department to be at high-risk of fire danger.
Minister for Education Bronwyn Pike said the register had been developed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools Victoria.
“The task for us all is to work together to make our state as fire-safe and as fire-ready as possible so that lives can be protected,” Ms Pike said.
“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.”
Ahead of a Code Red (Catastrophic) Day, the DEECD will issue immediate warnings to staff, parents and children through its website and through schools and children’s services.
Ms Pike said the pre-emptive list of schools that would close on a Code Red (Catastrophic) Day came after an assessment and audit process into the preparedness of all government and non-government schools and children’s services following the February fires.
Other schools may be added to the list and information is available by calling the school’s bushfire information line on 1800 059 866.