A raging fire threatened to cause damage to a new Catholic primary school on December 10, the school’s last day of classes for the year.
Students at Hammond Park Catholic Primary School were evacuated at 3.05pm after the fire came close to the school’s property.
Principal Chris Cully said it was a dramatic way to end the school year.
“The school buildings are safe and all students were evacuated safely with their parents at the end of the school day,” he said shortly after the evacuation.
“Thanks to our emergency services a swift response was in place and any possible damage was quickly averted.”
Mr Cully said helicopters circled the area, dumping large quantities of water close to the school’s north-eastern border.
Thirty firefighters were called on to tackle the fire, which began in bushland adjacent to the school and was contained and under control when The Record went to print.
Residents of three streets that surround the school were asked to leave their homes, and several other roads were closed.
It is unknown what started the blaze, which burnt 4.5 hectares of land.
Hammond Park Catholic Primary School opened for the first time in February with 17 children enrolled in its kindergarten program.