By KATRINA BRANDON

 

FIRE danger saw the closure of Rawson Primary School earlier this month.

Due to hot, dry conditions, the school closed on Wednesday, February 4 as a precaution, and implemented learn-from-home to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families.

The school posted on its Facebook the night before to alert parents of the changes.

“Due to the elevated Fire Danger Rating, our school will be closed tomorrow to ensure the safety of our students, staff, families and the community,” the post read.

“No staff, students, contractors or visitors are permitted on site tomorrow. Students will be learning from home, with learning materials sent home this afternoon.

“Families are encouraged to enact their own bushfire plan if needed.”

While Rawson Primary School was unable to provide a comment to the Express, the Department of Education stated that schools identified as being in bushfire risk zones must take the safest possible action to protect students.

“The safety of students and staff is always our highest priority, particularly on days of elevated fire danger, when the safest action in identified areas of extreme risk is to leave the area and leave early,” a department spokesperson told the Express.

“Schools and early childhood services on the department’s bushfire-at-risk register were supported to enact their emergency management plans on Wednesday, which included some temporary relocations with education provided at another school.

“We thank school staff and leaders for their work in minimising disruption to learning for students in these areas.”

Yinnar South Primary School is also on the register and was advised to relocate for the day.

Rawson Primary School later published (on Monday, February 9) the following in its school newsletter:

“It has been a wonderful start to the 2026 school year at Rawson Primary School, despite a brief interruption due to an Extreme Fire Danger Day,” it said in the principal’s letter.

“Our new junior students have settled in beautifully, quickly adjusting to school life and becoming familiar with new routines and structures. It has been a joy to see their confidence grow already.”

In the new school year, Rawson Primary School has welcomed five new preps, which is the largest group since 2022, and now it is the largest per cent of students in the school.

All five students are the oldest in their families, bringing in the next generation to Rawson.

Principal Tristan Mether told the Express, “We are looking forward to watching them (students) and their learning grow in 2026, and we are excited to be taking them on some excursions later in the year, to the West Gippsland Art Centre to see Where Is The Green Sheep, and Room on the Broom.”