14 Mar 2022
Whether it was providing shelter, joining the relief effort or even inventing tools for recovery, public schools have again stepped up in the face of a natural disaster, putting student and community welfare at the forefront of their work.
Over the past three weeks, record rainfall has impacted schools up and down the State’s communities with the northern rivers area the hardest hit.
During the peak of the flooding earlier this week around 350 schools across the three education sectors were closed. On the State’s north coast at least 16 schools have sustained significant damage, with that number expected to increase as the department is able to access more areas.
As communities continue to deal with the immediate impact of the floods, a number of schools have shared their experiences.
Wyndham College, Western Sydney
When their local SES unit called out for help after being inundated with calls from the community, 16 Wyndham College students volunteered their time by bagging 26 tonnes of sand in just five hours, helping hundreds of local people protect their homes and businesses.
College principal Classa Martinuzzi said the Year 11 and 12 students worked hard throughout the day to help their community.
“The students did such a fabulous job that by 2pm, they had run out of sand and bags to fill,” Ms Martinuzzi said.
“They also helped to place sandbags into the boots of cars as community members were arriving for assistance.
“This experience was not only an opportunity to give back, but to also educate our students about what the SES is and the important work it does for our community.
“We are so proud of all the students and teachers who were involved, and I know the local SES is grateful for the help they provided,” she said.
For Year 12 student Kaili Johnsen, the opportunity to help was one she couldn’t refuse.
“I had seen on the news what has been happening with the floods and saw that people needed help,” Kaili said.
“So, when this opportunity came up, I saw this as a chance to help my community and I felt like I was making a difference.”
Leveni Isimeeli Tuivai, also in year 12, had the local community in his thoughts as he helped fill the sandbags.
“I just wanted to help out,” Leveni said. “Throughout the day I kept wondering where these sandbags were going to go – were they going to people’s houses?”
Meanwhile, fellow Year 12 student and volunteer Nunia Mafi developed a new appreciation for emergency volunteers.
“At the end of the day, I wondered how the SES volunteers can do this type of work every day,” Nunia said.