When Tragedy Strikes: Inside a School Community’s Long Road to Recovery

This week we continue our exploration of what it means to work in schools after traumatic events — but this time, we go deeper. We’re joined by two remarkable educators: a former Principal and a former Welfare Coordinator who lived through one of Victoria’s most devastating chapters — the Black Saturday bushfires. Both played central roles in supporting their school community in the aftermath, guiding staff, students, and families through shock, loss, rebuilding, and the long, slow process of recovery. These are heartfelt, compelling stories that reveal what it truly takes to hold a community together, not just in the immediate days and weeks after a tragedy, but across the years that follow. Their reflections offer powerful insights into leadership, compassion, resilience, and the unseen emotional labour carried by educators during times of crisis. For CRTs, this episode provides a rare window into the experiences of school leaders navigating extraordinary circumstances — and a deeper understanding of how relief teachers can contribute meaningfully and sensitively when communities are hurting. A profound and important conversation that stays with you long after it ends.

Professional Development Opportunity

Professional learning may include:

•seminars, conferences, workshops and online learning

•collegiate meetings and professional conversations focused on improving practice and outcomes for learners

•participation in education-related boards, committees or panels.

This episode focuses on:

Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

4.1 Support student participation

4.2 Manage classroom activities

4.3 Manage challenging behaviour

4.4 Maintain student safety

7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilities

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