Dear Parents and Carers of St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Milton,

We thank you for your patience in keeping your children home today. The NSW Rural Fire Service Fire Advisory Warning remains at Emergency Level with regard to the fire burning currently out of control between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, and the Princes Highway remains closed to the south.

In consultation with senior executives at the Catholic Education Office, the decision has been made to REOPEN St Mary's Milton tomorrow (Tuesday 3 December) for those students who can access the school without any impediment. However, we are respectfully asking that families who live in bushfire affected areas south of the school, such as those between Termeil and South Durras to avoid all non-essential travel including transporting children to school.

Again, our concern is that children could become isolated from their families should conditions worsen. This advice is precautionary with regard to the safety of the students and staff of our school and is based on the information and advice we have received. The decision takes into consideration the particular environment in which our school is situated, having a number of students and staff travel significant distances getting to and from school under these conditions. This decision is based on current information and should conditions deteriorate further, the school community will be advised of any changes to these arrangements. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with members of the community who have been affected by these fires, who continue to be under threat or have been evacuated from their homes and to the Rural Fire Service for their selfless dedication to keeping our community safe.