Schools to share in bushfire wellness recovery funds

A TRIO of schools in the Surf Coast and Colac Otway shires are among those to share in $2 million of additional funding to address the immediate mental health and wellbeing needs of students affected by January’s bushfires.

The funding will be delivered as a top-up to the affected public schools’ existing Schools Mental Health Fund, enabling them to purchase additional evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support.

Lavers Hill P-12 College, Deans Marsh Primary School and Lorne P-12 College will each get $37,500.

Schools were identified based on direct bushfire impacts to facilities and communities, including where students and staff have experienced loss of property or disruption.This will provide affcted public schools with access to increased recovery and wellbeing support, focusing on trauma-informed support as well as disaster, grief and loss programs.

This boost supports the Victorian government’s Recovery and Resilience Model for schools, an evidence-based framework that includes the core features of routine and safety, health and wellbeing, belonging and connectedness.

New uniforms, books and other educational items can also be replaced through State Schools’ Relief. Schools can also apply for additional support through the School Breakfast Club Program.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced the funding on Wednesday this week.

“We want our students and staff across the state to know we are behind them every step of the way, and help restore a sense of safety and calm to our school communities,” he said.

“We know the significant damage these fires can bring to our students emotional wellbeing, and we are putting every effort in place to mitigate the trauma and disruption they have caused.”For more information, head to vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-bushfire-affected-schools