All schools, kindergartens and licensed child care centres that have been identified as being at high fire risk on the DET Vic or CEVN Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) must close on days declared Code Red – Catastrophic Fire Danger

All of our campuses are on the BARR in 2023-24. In the event of a Code Red day all Padua Campuses will be closed and no College camps/excursions will proceed.

Where possible, three (3) days’ notice of planned closure will be provided by State Authorities. However, experience indicates that a Code Red fire danger rating day may be forecast at short notice. Parents and guardians should expect that in some instances less than three days’ notice may be provided. Students where possible, will be notified by staff. Parents will be notified via SMS and the Padua College Facebook page. Please ensure your contact details are up to date in your student’s Operoo profile.

Once the final decision to close is confirmed at 1pm the day prior, this decision will not change – regardless of any changes in the weather forecast. This will help limit confusion and help families plan for how their children will be cared for when their school is closed.

When a school is closed in response to bushfire risk, no one, including staff, contractors and other users, will be permitted on site.

Offsite activities may also be affected by bushfire risk. On days declared Code Red planned activities within specific CFA zones will not be initiated. Activities already in progress may be abandoned, postponed or cancelled to mitigate risk. Families of students affected will have changed plans communicated via SMS at the earliest opportunity.

Parents and guardians are also advised that in the case of a regular school bus route being under threat of fire, the Principal will not allow the bus to leave the College grounds. (Bus providers may also not allow buses to commence or continue routes). This may result in lengthy delays or instructions for parents and guardians to collect their students from the College. Again advice will be communicated via SMS at the earliest opportunity.

Padua encourages families within the college community to formulate their own Family Bushfire Survival Plan, including contingencies for Code Red Day Declarations. If your family decides to enact its Family Bushfire Survival Plan, the most appropriate place for your child may be with you and your family, and not at school. You must advise the College as soon as possible of your child’s absence.

To get warnings and find out what’s happening, listen to ABC local radio, call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 226 226, go to CFA Fire ratings webpage https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/total-fire-bans-fire-danger-ratings/about-fire-danger-ratings and the Vic Emergency websites

https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ or

https://emergency.vic.gov.au/prepare/#fire/preparing-for-fires

Further enquiries can be directed to the OHS Coordinator – Matt Crosling - 5976 0100