BREATHING EASY: Cumnock Public School students Laura, Charlie, Sara, Jack, Skye, Duncan and Toby enjoy the school’s new flued heater.
JUST three weeks out from the start of winter, Cumnock Public School students can breathe a little easier with the installation of new flued heaters.
Across the state the 100 coldest schools received new heaters but Cumnock Public School missed out. The Cumnock community took the issue into their own hands and raised $6257 that was matched dollar for dollar by the state government.
A Department of Education spokesperson said without fundraising the school would have waited until the old unflued heaters had reached the end of their natural life before they were replaced.
Cumnock principal Steve McAlister said the community saw the need for new heaters as a priority despite the school not making the government’s 100 coldest schools list.
“We were not in the top 100 coldest schools but our parents felt we were just as cold as schools nearby who did make the list,” he said.
“It was a priority when the state government issued a statement saying that schools could fundraise to have the heaters.”
Mr McAlister said the school started to raise funds when it became obvious how strongly the community felt about the issue.
“The commitment form the community was fantastic,” he said.
“The school is a vital cog in the community and we’re absolutely thrilled at the response.”
The unflued heaters in the school’s three classrooms have been replaced, however unflued heaters still remain in the staff room, the administration room and the principal’s office.
Schools have pushed to replace unflued heaters because they can cause respiratory problems.