Member for Ripon Martha Haylett today announced that Skipton Primary School will share in $2 million of additional funding to address the immediate mental health and wellbeing needs of students.

The funding will be delivered as a top-up to impacted public schools’ existing Schools Mental Health Fund, enabling them to purchase additional evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support.

Schools were identified based on direct bushfire impacts to facilities and communities, including where students and staff have experienced loss of property or disruption.

This will provide impacted public schools with access to increased recovery and wellbeing support, focusing on trauma-informed support as well as disaster, grief and loss programs.

This boost supports the government’s Recovery and Resilience Model for schools, an evidence-based framework which includes the core features of routine and safety, health and wellbeing, belonging and connectedness.

New uniforms, books and other educational items can also be replaced through State Schools’ Relief. Schools can also apply for additional support through the School Breakfast Club Program.

For a list of schools identified to receive this funding, visit vic.gov.au/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-bushfire-affected-schools

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll

“We want our students and staff across the state to know we are behind them every step of the way, and help restore a sense of safety and calm to our school communities.”

“We know the significant damage these fires can bring to our students emotional wellbeing, and we are putting every effort in place to mitigate the trauma and disruption they have caused.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

"I want local families affected by the Streatham fire to know that they're not alone, and that their kids at Skipton Primary School will receive extra support at this difficult time." 

"We're boosting mental health support to schools in bushfire affected areas, including in Skipton, so children can get the extra care and support they need to recover."