Yarloop back to school for new year, new beginning

Wednesday was the day students, parents and staff of Yarloop Primary School have been looking forward to for the past 12 months, when they were finally able to return to their school and kick off the academic year in familiar surroundings.

Although the school was not directly damaged by the Waroona-Yarloop bushfire, the closure of the town and the clean up of properties necessitated the students’ temporary relocation to Harvey Primary School for the whole of 2016.

Students went back a day later than their peers last week to allow painting, carpeting and ceiling repairs to be completed.

But some children could not contain their excitement and checked out their classrooms on Tuesday when staff were busy getting everything in place for a smooth start.

Principal John Collis said it was “marvellous” and everything parents, staff and students had hoped for.

“For us it is coming home,” Mr Collis said.

“Our staff have worked incredibly hard in the last days to get everything back to normal.

“There are no signs of the fire inside the school building and after rooms were painted and new carpets laid, everything looks and smells fresh.

“We start off with 40 students and hopefully numbers will grow throughout the year.

“If the school had not opened, people would not return or move here.

“In small country towns such as Yarloop, schools play an important role in the community and the viability of the town.”