Dear Badger Families,

As communicated previously, Badger Creek P.S. has been assessed as Category 2 on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR). As a result, we are required to close on days when our Local Government Area (LGA) is declared Catastrophic, and relocate on days when our LGA is declared Extreme.

As part of preparing our Emergency Management Plan (EMP), staff have spent considerable time finalising our relocation plan to Healesville High School. We want to ensure that, should we need to relocate, the process is as smooth as possible for our students, staff and families.

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with the important information below.

How will we know if we need to relocate?

• The LGA Extreme rating is not publicly available. The school will be notified by the Emergency Management Team if our LGA has been assessed as Extreme.
• This notification will usually occur the afternoon before an Extreme day. However, there have been instances where the rating has changed on the morning of the day itself.
• Families will be notified via Compass if Badger Creek P.S. is relocating to Healesville High School.
• Schools, kindergartens and childcare centres across the Yarra Ranges network may have different triggers within their Emergency Management Plans. Just because another setting is relocating does not necessarily mean Badger Creek P.S. will be relocating as well.

Please only rely on official communication from Badger Creek P.S. via Compass regarding our relocation arrangements.

Relocation arrangements

School times and drop-off/pick-up

• School times will remain the same on a relocation day. Students can be dropped off from 8:45 am, with the school day commencing at 9:00 am and finishing at 3:30 pm.
• The designated drop-off and pick-up location for Badger Creek P.S. families is the car park at Jack Hort Memorial Pool, 10 Camerons Road, Healesville.
• School flags and signage will be displayed to help families find their way.
• When you arrive in the morning, Badger Creek staff will be waiting at the gate to direct students to the area where they will meet their classroom teacher.
• At the end of the day, students will be escorted to the car park gate for collection by their families.

Settling in and student wellbeing

• We understand that relocating to an unfamiliar setting may be unsettling for some students. If your child is feeling anxious, you are welcome to walk them to their classroom teacher or seek support from Emma, Scott or a member of our Education Support team.
• Healesville High School has allocated Badger Creek P.S. exclusive use of D Block, including the Library for administration and first aid, as well as dedicated student toilets.
• Our usual school break times will remain in place. These differ from Healesville High School’s break times.
• During recess and lunch, Badger Creek students will have access to the grassed area and playground in the middle of the school, as well as the school oval.

What students need to bring

• Our SunSmart policy will remain in place at Healesville High School, so students will need a hat. If your child does not have their school hat at home, please send them with any broad-brimmed or legionnaire-style hat you have available.
• We will also have a supply of hats at the High School for students who arrive without one.
• Apart from their usual school bag containing lunch, a hat and other everyday essentials, students do not need to bring anything additional from home, however if they wish to bring a comfort toy etc. that is fine. Staff have prepared tubs containing the learning materials we will need for the day.
• The learning program on a relocation day will be a separate, stand-alone program rather than a continuation of the learning taking place at school.

Office, first aid and OSHC

• The Library at Healesville High School will be our administration and first aid base for the day. If you need to speak with office staff for any reason, please come to the Library.
• Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) will operate from the Library at Healesville High School at the usual times, with our regular staff.
• If your child will not be attending OSHC on a relocation day, please notify Community OSHC through the usual communication channels.

Family fire plans and student absences

We understand that some families may need to enact their own fire plans on an Extreme day. If this means your child or children will be absent from school, please record their absence through the usual process on Compass.

During the day if you need to contact the school, staff will be able to access emails, and the school phone number will be diverted to an admin phone.

We appreciate that relocation arrangements can raise questions, and we want all families to feel informed and confident about what will happen if we need to move to Healesville High School.

If you are unsure about any aspect of our relocation plan, or have any questions, please speak with a staff member you feel comfortable approaching or contact the school office.

Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.

Scott Crawford