The purpose of the Bushfire Education webpages is to provide teaching and learning resources to support bushfire education for primary and secondary schools (Year 1 to Year 8). Based on four themes, the aim of the Bushfire Education webpages is to better prepare all young Australians for the challenges of living in a country that regularly experiences bushfires.
The 'Preparing for bushfires' theme outlines the steps individuals, families and the community can take to prepare for the bushfire season and minimise risk.
The theme is explored through individual sessions that:
- link each particular session to the relevant curriculum area
- set out specific learning intentions
- list suggested resources to support its teaching and learning
- sequence the learning activities as 'starting', 'exploring', 'bringing it all together' and 'extending'.
All bushfire education teaching and learning activities have been aligned to the relevant areas of the Victorian Curriculum F–10.
Curriculum areas
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- English
- Personal and Social Capability
- Science
Preparing for bushfires
This section explores the theme of 'Preparing for bushfires' and is designed to support the learning needs of students in Years 1 to 3. It is aligned to Victorian Curriculum Levels 1 and 2.
Students learn about bushfires and bushfire safety in order for them to begin to understand the risks of bushfire in their own and other areas. They explore safety measures related to their personal safety, and the role of local fire services to assist communities to prepare for bushfires.
Bushfires matter to all Victorians
Learning intention: Students will consider why it is important to learn about bushfires and bushfire safety in order to help them understand the risks of bushfire in their own area.
Preparing for the bushfire season
Learning intention: Students will explore safety measures related to their personal safety, as well as what should be done to prepare a home for the bushfire season.
Getting to know firefighters
Learning intention: Students come to know more about the role and importance of the local fire service and the role of firefighters during bushfires.
Other Levels 1 and 2 themes
Preparing for bushfires
This section explores the theme of 'Preparing for bushfires' and is designed to support the learning needs of students in Years 4 to 6. It is aligned to Victorian Curriculum Levels 5 and 6.
Students learn about bushfires and bushfire safety in order for them to begin to understand the risks of bushfire in their own area. They explore safety measures related to their personal safety, bushfire survival plans, and the role of local fire services to assist communities to prepare for the bushfire season.
Bushfires matter to all Victorians
Learning intention: Students consider why is it important to learn about bushfires and bushfire safety in order for them to begin to understand the risks of bushfire in their own area. They will debunk some common misconceptions regarding bushfires and become familiar with the actual risks associated with bushfires.
Preparing for the bushfire season
Learning intention: Students explore safety measures related to their personal safety, as well as what families should do to prepare for the bushfire season.
Investigating the importance of bushfire survival plans
Learning intention: Students discover the importance of developing a bushfire survival plan as an essential part of preparing for the bushfire season for families in bushfire-prone areas. Students also learn the specific components that need to be included in a bushfire survival plan, and how every member of a family can be part of the plan.
Getting help to prepare for bushfires
Learning intention: Students learn about the local fire service and emergency agencies in their area, and how these services assist local communities to be prepared for the bushfire season.
Other Levels 5 and 6 themes
Preparing for bushfires
This section explores the theme of 'Preparing for bushfires' and is designed to support the learning needs of students in Years 7 to 8 but can be adjusted to teach Years 9 and 10. It is aligned to Victorian Curriculum Levels 7 and 8.
Students learn about the risk of bushfires and how to reduce them, in order for them to begin to understand the risks of bushfire in their own area. They explore how bushfire survival plans are developed and their importance in preparing to respond to a bushfire.
Know the risks
Learning intention: This lesson explores what the risks of bushfires are, who is affected, and how – by knowing the risks – everyone can be prepared to face them.
Closer to home
Learning intention: Students understand potential risks around the home and how addressing those risks can help reduce the damage caused by bushfires.
Bushfire survival plans
Learning intention: Students learn that residents in high fire-risk areas across Victoria should develop a bushfire survival plan as an essential part of preparing for the bushfire season.
Other Levels 7 and 8 themes
View
bushfire education resources to support teaching and learning activities on this site.
Please note: There is potential for discomfort or distress among some students when talking, viewing and reading about bushfires. Teachers should preview, adapt and manage the teaching and learning activities and resources with respect to the particular needs and backgrounds of their students.
Information about where schools can access a range of student support services can be found on the Department of Education and Training's
Student Support Services webpages.