Dear parents and carers
I hope you and your families are safe following the significant weather event we have been experiencing in the last few days.
I am writing to inform you that Pimpama State Secondary College will remain closed to all students and staff tomorrow, Monday March 10. Please keep your child at home.
Due to the effects of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred being felt across our community, our school remains closed as a result of continuing weather impacts, power outages, clearing of debris, flood waters limiting or preventing access to our school, safety and risk assessments.
As part of our disaster management protocol, we follow the advice of emergency services. We always act in the interests of the safety of students, staff and the wider community. The decision to remain closed is based on an assessment of the current conditions and risks associated with movement in and around our community.
Safety assessments and reopening
It is critical that we act in the interests of safety of students, staff and the wider community. Before we receive clearance to re-open our school, there are a range of safety and risk assessments that need to be completed.
Any damage at our school will be inspected by the government agency QBuild. When this assessment is complete, I will then complete a suitability assessment of our school before it can re-open.
Please be patient as we complete these assessments. I am sure you will appreciate that due to the effect of this weather event on many communities, this may take time – however I am as keen as you are to get our school back up and running.
We will provide updates and information to our families via email, SMS message, and on the school website regarding arrangements for Tuesday 11 March. In addition. up-to-date information on school closures is available from closures.qld.edu.au. Early childhood service closures are available on the service and temporary closure information website.
Student absences
Absences due to emergencies and natural disasters and when a school is closed, will not be recorded on a student’s report card.
Monitoring the situation
Please continue to listen to our local ABC Radio service and monitor emergency services’ social media accounts for updates and advice. Information about current weather conditions can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au. If you need immediate help, call Triple Zero (000) and remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.
Health and wellbeing
It is incredibly important that you take time to look after yourselves and your families. I encourage you to access the information available for parents and students to support health and wellbeing during these difficult circumstances.
Thank you for your ongoing support and I will continue to keep you informed about the status of our school.
Kind regards
Megan RODERICK
Principal