The Department of Education and the Department of Finance have been working tirelessly to assess the damage of Cyclone Seroja on Western Australian public schools in the Mid-West.
Whilst clean-up work is continuing, 24 schools including off-site campuses have now been assessed and will be ready to open for staff and students on the first day of Term 2.
These schools are Allendale Primary School, Central Midlands Senior High School, Cervantes Primary School, Chapman Valley Primary School, Dalwallinu District High School, Dandaragan Primary School, Dongara District High School, Geraldton Primary School and Pre-primary, Holland Street School, Jurien Bay District High School, Kalannie Primary School, Lancelin Primary School, Miling Primary School, Mingenew Primary School, Morawa District High School, Mount Tarcoola Primary School, Rangeway Primary School, Shark Bay School, Waggrakine Primary School, Walkaway Primary School, Watheroo Primary School, Wongan Hills District High School, Yerecoin Primary School and Yuna Primary School.
The Department of Finance, which is the agency that maintains government buildings, is assessing a further 22 schools.
Planning is also underway in case learning arrangements at any schools in the area need to be altered for the start of Term 2. This includes the possibility of distributing dongles and laptops to students if needed or alternative locations to hold in-person classes.
The Department of Education is providing support to staff and families who have been affected by Cyclone Seroja and will continue to provide updates as information is available. Links to the support available are on the education.wa.edu.au website.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"There were 46 public schools that could have potentially been impacted by Cyclone Seroja.
"It's heartening for the community to hear that 24 schools have already been cleared to open for students and staff for the start of Term Two next week.
"There are still a number of schools to be assessed, and the State Government will provide more information about those schools once it is safe for inspectors to access the sites.
"I'd like to commend everyone who is working behind the scenes to make our schools safe, and get them to a point where they can open next week so that despite the disaster, there will be some normality for students who are able to attend school."
