28 Jan 2020
Dear parents, guardians and local community members,
This year we are heading back to school under exceptional circumstances. Bushfires on an unprecedented scale have caused widespread destruction and have deeply affected us all. Our thoughts are with those who have been impacted, across the state and nation.
Despite the challenges all NSW Public Schools will be operational on Day 1, Term 1. All NSW Public Schools, including Marsden High School, will provide any additional support needed for students and families affected by bushfires.
Even though Marsden High School's enrolment area has not directly been impacted by bushfires we are very aware that many students and families may still be affected by the crisis.
For instance:
students and families may have been affected by traumatic bushfire experiences whilst on holiday.
families may be emotionally and financially affected by members being required for extended volunteer service in the Rural Fire Service or State Emergency Service.
students or community members may have been affected by bushfire smoke, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
- emotional impact when extended family or friends have been directly impacted upon by bushfire. There may be a need for families or close fiends who have lost homes to move in with members of our community. Children in temporary lodgings may require schooling. In this situation, Marsden High School will be able to provide a shared enrolment until students are able to return to their communities.
- some excursions planned for Term 1 2020 in rural and bush locations may be affected. We know that national parks and state forests have been damaged significantly. Organising teachers for excursions have been asked to contact individual providers and local councils, to review logistics such as transport and accommodation and to see if any changes need to be made to planned activities and excursion risk management plans.
If students or families have been affected in these or other ways I encourage you to inform the Year Adviser or the Deputy Principal who supervises your child's year group. The school can offer emotional support through the services of our School Psychologist and our Learning and Wellbeing staff. If the bushfire crisis has had financial implications for your family please let the school know so that we can offer support in this area.
The NSW Government has also developed a range of online resources to support schools and communities:
- Advice to assist parents, teachers and students following recent fires https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety/advice-to-assist-parents-teachers-and-students-following-recent-fires
- Bushfire customer care service: assistance for bushfire-affected communities https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service
- Air quality considerations for schools during bushfires season https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/inside-the-department/health-and-safety/media/documents/Factsheet-Air-quality-considerations-during-bushfire-V2.pdf
The NSW Government is partnering with the non-for profit organisation GIVIT (http://www.givit.org.au) to ensure goods and services donated by the public reach people who need them most, while reducing the workload of frontline personnel in bushfire-affected areas. GIVIT supports communities by working with all local charities, recovery agencies and support organisations to provide exactly what they need for the residents they support. As Term 1 proceeds our student leadership teams will be encouraged to fundraise in support of GIVIT's bushfire campaign.
Again, please let the school know if the bushfires have impacted students or your family in any way. We are keen to provide any support necessary.
Kind regards,
Pete Wilson
Relieving Deputy Principal