Cyclone Seroja: Kalbarri District High School and Binnu Primary School remain closed following destruction

Students at two public schools smashed by Cyclone Seroja will not be able to return to their classrooms for the start of Term 2 this week — but their schooling will go ahead. While 41 public schools in the Mid West have now been cleared of cyclone damage, Kalbarri District High School and Binnu Primary School have been deemed unsafe. Kalbarri DHS, which has around 200 students from kindergarten to Year 12, will spread students around alternative venues across the town when school resumes on Tuesday. Extra relief teachers from the Education Department’s flying squad will join existing staff to provide support. Around 20 children enrolled at Binnu Primary will start their Term 2 lessons in the local town hall. The Education Department is sending laptops and dongles to help the affected schools, as well as a team of school psychologists, chaplains and experienced principals. Another three schools that lost power — Northampton District High School, Morawa District High School and Chapman Valley Primary School — were expected to have it restored in time for the start of term. Catholic Education WA said all nine of its schools in the affected area had been cleared for reopening. Education Minister Sue Ellery said it was reassuring that so many schools would be ready to open their doors for the start of Term 2, despite the devastation caused by Cyclone Seroja. “I am always impressed by the incredible dedication shown by members of our school communities, particularly during times such as these,” she said. “They continue to step up and work tirelessly behind the scenes to support students’ learning.”