Bushfire Information

Hawthorndene Primary School Bushfire Safety Information: Parent Overview

Bushfire season in South Australia usually runs from November to April. This year for the Mount Lofty Ranges
Region, this runs from 1st December, 2025 until 30th April, 2026.

Our highest priority is the safety of students, staff, parents/carers and our wider community.

What parents/caregivers need to know:

Fire Danger Ratings and School Operation

Extreme Fire Danger Day:

  • School remains OPEN.
  • We operate as normal but watch, monitor, and enact preparedness measures.
  • Ensure you are contactable throughout the day in case conditions worsen.
  • Closely monitor all school communication channels (SeeSaw, emails, and text messages (SMS)), and follow any further information from the AlertSA app.

Catastrophic Fire Danger Day:

  • School is CLOSED.
  • No students or staff are on site.

Escalation During the Day (Extreme changed to Catastrophic):

If the fire danger rating is upgraded to ‘Catastrophic’ during the school day:

  • The school will remain open until normal close time; however, parents/caregivers may receive communication they can choose to come and collect their child at their earliest opportunity
  • Students remain supervised onsite until collected.
  • Under this escalated circumstance, no child/ren will be released to travel home independently.
  • OSHC and school sports will be cancelled.

Communication Channels:

You will receive updates via:

  • EdSmart (email)
  • SMS message
  • SeeSaw app
    • Please keep your contact details up to date at all times.

Emergency Preparedness at School:

  • Bushfire Emergency Management Plan is in place.
  • Our Leadership Team have participated in the Department’s Annual pre-season bushfire briefing delivered by the Security and Emergency Management (SEM) Team
  • We have completed our updated ‘2025-2026 Bushfire Response Plan’ following this training
  • Staff and students are trained in bushfire response and regular drills are conducted and practiced
  • In the event of a nearby bushfire, we follow ‘shelter-in-place’ protocols unless instructed otherwise by Emergency Services and authorities.

Emergency Contacts:

  • For official updates and information, call the Department’s Emergency Information Line: 1800 000 279

Further Information:

Stay Informed:

  • Parents are strongly encouraged to download and regularly follow the AlertSA app for bushfire updates specific to the Mount Lofty Ranges region.
  • Regularly monitor the CFS website and local ABC radio for up-to-date bushfire information.

Parent actions:

  • On ‘Catastrophic’ days, do not send your child to school.
  • Respond quickly to any school communication requesting you to collect your child due to a change in fire danger rating.
  • Make sure you and your children are familiar with these procedures and stay prepared during fire danger season.

Hawthorndene Primary School is committed to keeping our community informed and safe. Your prompt action and cooperation help us protect every child.