SWAN VALLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
FIREFIGHTERS ARE OUR HEROES! A devastating bushfire which swept through the north-east of Perth in February, combined with a State shutdown due to COVID-19, provided an unusual start to the year for Swan Valley Anglican Community School (SVACS) students. Starting on February 1, the fast-moving bushfire originated in Wooroloo, 45 kilometres north-east of Perth in the Shire of Mundaring, and by the following day the bushfire emergency had spread to the Shires of Chittering and Northam, as well as the City of Swan. By 6 February, the bushfire had travelled 26km from its source and the School was in the middle of the red Emergency Alert Zone. For three days, the school community was on high alert, with many staff and students evacuated from their homes as the fire approached. As the school was already in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdown, there were no people on site during the fire. Luckily, no SVACS families lost their homes, however, some larger land holdings were badly burned. The school campus was fortunately unscathed. The fire destroyed at least 86 houses and 2 fire trucks. No lives were lost, however, the effect on local wildlife, 4
stock and pets was devastating. The fire coincided with a five-day lockdown of the Perth metropolitan region that started at 6pm on 31 January, due to a case of COVID-19 outside of hotel quarantine. Many in the school community reached out to help others. Primary Teacher Sam was evacuated and sought refuge at his mother-in-law’s house. On hearing that fellow teacher Tam had also been evacuated, Sam invited Tam’s family and pets to join them. The evacuees were all provided with food and shelter for five days. They all soon realised how very blessed they were to have met each other at Swan Valley Anglican Community School and that they were able to support each other so well beyond the school gates. A wonderful example of Good Samaritans at work! When school finally reopened on Monday 8 February, our Primary School students wanted the firefighters in our fire stations and volunteer fire brigades to know how much we appreciate their wonderful work in keeping our communities safe. They decided to design and make the most beautiful, thoughtful thank-you cards to send to our amazing firefighters all around the South-West of our state. In total, around 650 handmade cards of appreciation were sent to 63 different stations and brigades.
