We reach out to our colleagues across the state who have been impacted by the devastating flood waters. I have had the privilege of speaking to so many of our colleagues…their bravery, hope and optimism is truly remarkable. It speaks volumes about the people they are. There are Principals and staff who have faced not only school damage but the loss of their own homes. Students and communities too have lost much if not all. For some of our colleagues, it was over a week before they knew if their own families and staff were safe. The flood waters didn’t discriminate, they took hold of properties that left people in the most vulnerable of situations and fear filled experiences. It has certainly been reported as something of a magnitude not seen before. For some, the second time since 2017.

A number of our schools became instant Evacuation Centres. Truly remarkable stories of these host schools and what they were able to do for a broad section of their communities. You too saw the television footage as entire lives were destroyed and moved onto the pavement.

All but one school currently has relocated and opened – the generosity of those who are safe and dry have ensured staff, students and communities have a safe place and a small part of their lives have returned to a routine of sorts. Never underestimate the trauma and sense of displacement many of our workforce and communities are experiencing.

Leanne Nixon has been on the ground in the northern part of NSW to ensure the Infrastructure and assets operation has started – this too is taking time.
Principals in flood impacted areas are indeed leading in a remarkable manner. Simply remarkable. There are hundreds of colleagues and staff impacted. Those on the ground and indeed those I have emailed and spoken to have expressed exactly what they need. They have also expressed their deepest appreciation for the support people they have been afforded. The flood waters across NSW have traumatised many communities both in our north and localised in parts of Northern and Western Sydney as well as the Hawkesbury area.

Schools, students and communities are being supported centrally. Our role is to walk with them in the recovery period and beyond in a coordinated response. Dianne Van Berlo | Acting Executive Director Health, Safety and Wellbeing, along with Deputy Secretaries Leanne Nixon and Murat Dizdar are ‘tiering’ the need so as the financial support we offer will be magnified in all the right schools. There are many on the list and we will be standing ready when we know who we are reaching out to.

My advice is to get busy with your fundraising and hold it securely. Talk to your community about how you will be partnered with a school or schools and as soon as you are matched you will take the next step with the school on their way to recovery. We all want to help, it’s our immediate response. Please don’t assume you know what your matched school will need. As you can imagine, each school will need something different and when you connect with your colleague you will understand - you will hear their stories. Right now, our flood affected colleagues are managing themselves and their staff, students and communities.

Some of our colleagues and their staff and students have relocated to another school site as part of the recovery phase. This will be both short term and for some long term. Collegiality at its finest

Rob Walker | Principal Evans River K-12 (Deputy President NSWPPA) hosted one of the pop up EVAC Centres during the height of the flood and is now hosting two preschools - Evans Head Preschool and Woodburn Preschool as well as Woodburn Public School - Michael Lord | Relieving Principal and Broadwater Public School | Steve Curtin | Principal, their students and their staff. This gesture is replicated across a number of sites. The smiles and appreciation say it all.

At last night’s flood update Leanne Nixon advised they are currently tiering schools so it would be likely the list would be available at the end of this week or the start of next. YOU will know as soon as we populate the list of schools in need with the some 350 generous school communities. We respect this takes time and even more so we respect our colleagues. This is a life changing event.

The road to recovery is long … families have much to consider, some have already relocated.

Fundraise away and muster all your energy and support – SCHOOLS FOR SCHOOLS | PRINCIPALS FOR PRINCIPALS matters.

Our colleagues know you are supporting – they know. They need to be ready for us. I am just as eager as you all are. I am provided with progress reports several times a week. THANKYOU to every colleague who has emailed Lisa Beare and myself… we are ready!

I share with you this interview on National ABC TV with David Lees Principal |Mullumbimby PS (with his permission). When I spoke to David this week, he was extending his help to another community member. His positivity, hope and optimism were indeed palpable. Leadership at this time is tougher than tough but what we are seeing replicated across the state is just what you see in this interview. How prod we can be of our colleagues.

I also share with you Helen Craigie| Bexshill PS (Student Wellbeing RG Chairperson) speaking on behalf of our Northern Rivers colleagues, who from the heart, gives you great insight to the plight of our colleagues – this is how you can help. Thank you Helen and a huge thankyou to Leah Martin |Principal Pambula PS for recording this … something quite remarkable and beautiful when one of our bushfire impacted communities wraps support around a flood impacted community.

Collectively, we are indeed the finest example of a workforce who knows what matters most – people, relationships and connection. SHOOLS FOR SCHOOLS | STAFF FOR SATFF | STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS |COMMUNITIES FOR COMMUNITIES.