Next steps 'pop up' for Northern Rivers schools

In response to devastating flooding, 100 'pop up' classrooms are ready to be rolled out across the Northern Rivers, as nine significantly damaged schools are earmarked for rebuilding.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said that more than 1,200 students and 150 teachers from nine schools have been learning from other sites, using the school within a school model which prioritises keeping students and their teachers together.

"Efforts to get pop up classrooms installed have been somewhat hampered by ongoing poor weather but I want to assure the community that as soon the ground is sufficiently dry, our Department of Education teams will be getting them in place," Ms Mitchell said.

"Having visited the flood-affected schools a few times now, I am in awe of the spirit of generosity and incredible efforts from principals, teachers and school staff to get the best learning and wellbeing supports in place for their students.

"We will be consulting the community every step of the way as we plan the rebuilding of these nine schools."

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said schools are the hubs of local communities, particularly for small towns across the Northern Rivers region.

"The determination, resilience and kindness within these communities has been amazing to witness," Ms Cooke said.

"Schools have an incredible ability to bring our communities together which is why it's so important to have them repaired and operational as soon as possible."

Pop up classrooms are on their way with an aim to having them set up as early as possible in Term 2.

The following schools with smaller cohorts will continue as schools within a school for the time being:

• Cabbage Tree Island PS - School within a school at Southern Cross PS
• Empire Vale PS - School within a school at Southern Cross PS
• Wardell PS - School within a school at Alstonville PS