Glen Waverley Fire Update - 21 April 2016

Over the past two days, we have endeavoured to provide regular updates to keep our school community informed as news comes to hand.

As explained earlier today, we have decided that the Middle School (Years 5 -9) will remain closed for the remainder of the week to allow ‘make-safe’ works to be completed. Priority work includes dismantling of damaged / unsafe structures, debris removal, surrounding buildings / classroom cleaning and ventilation (smoke intrusion) and campus arrangements to accommodate Years 5 & 6.

The specific issue of asbestos and its presence at the site has been raised within the community.

As you would appreciate, buildings approaching 50 years of age will contain various building materials including asbestos that have current day warnings/restrictions. The buildings in question within the Middle School have been refurbished a number of times over the years and, in particular, in the early 2000s when most asbestos was safely removed.

Yesterday the College engaged hygiene and environmental consultants to assess environmental hygiene encompassing both air quality and surface contaminants, in addition to structural risk consultants to ensure that the building site is safe. A clearance certificate was issued late today by Identifibre, Asbestos Hygiene Management Services, confirming that the site is asbestos free and “now considered suitable for re-entry by unprotected personnel”.  A copy of the certificate can be viewed via the following link www.wesleycollege.net/clearance-certificate.

This evening, Mr Peter Dickinson, Head of Campus, will also send an email with specific information relevant to each school.

A further update will follow tomorrow.

With best wishes

Dr Helen Drennen
Principal