Bushfires – Independent Schools Help Themselves and Each Other

AISV, 20 February 2009

AISV’s Chief Executive, Ms Michelle Green, has thanked and congratulated independent schools and their staff, parents and students on the way that they have supported each other and reached out to schools in need as a result of the bushfires.

‘The resilience shown by AISV Member Schools that suffered directly or indirectly and the generosity of other schools has been inspiring,’ Ms Green says. ‘The schools affected acted quickly to relieve the losses experienced by their families, and other independent schools across Victoria flooded us with offers of help.’

Schools have reported raising nearly $200,000 for relief and fundraisers are continuing. Partnerships have been established with some of the schools worst-hit and other schools are standing by to provide direct assistance.

An extensive range of goods and services available to schools needing assistance is listed in the bush fire relief section of the AISV website. Schools looking for support should contact the donor schools on the list or email AISV at helpingout@ais.vic.edu.au. The Victorian Department of Education is assessing the list to see what help might be shared with government schools.

At least 23 AISV Member Schools have suffered directly or indirectly as a result of the fires. In many cases there has been loss of life among students, alumni and the families or relatives of school staff. Some 50 independent school families lost their homes.

 

 

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