Extra cautions as Riverland students return

Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

Additional hot-weather measures are being adopted by Riverland schools, as students brave an intense heatwave – including yesterday’s 49C scorcher – for the first week of the 2026 school year.

Temperatures are tipped to remain above 40C until the weekend, prompting local schools to modify programs and take extra precautions.

“This is definitely the hottest beginning of a school year we have had in a while,” said Barmera Primary School principal Jayne Foulds.

“We cater to weather like this with lots of ice-blocks for the kids and keeping them indoors. We’re very lucky to have fantastic facilities here at Barmera, like our air-conditioned hall, where students can still run around and play.

“This will be the plan for the modified week going forward, as students will be kept safe.”

Despite the heat, all Riverland schools operated for yesterday’s opening of the new school year, however Riverland Education director Brenton Chapman encouraged local parents to “to stay in contact with their schools and preschools (and) talk with the staff about how their children are coping during this period”.

“Schools put in place a number of measures to monitor kids,” Mr Chapman said.

“They make sure they’re staying well hydrated, they adjust the learning programs for the day, (and) open up different spaces in the school that are normally not open during a school day that are well air-conditioned.

“There are flexible arrangements that can be put in place if children are really struggling with the impact of the heat. Our staff will be mindful of that as the week progresses to make sure that students are okay.”

“In response to any parental concerns surrounding the heatwave, a Department for Education spokesperson said “the department ensures schools and childcare centres are informed of forecast heatwaves and warnings, and have access to accurate information to keep staff, teachers, students and parents informed and safe”.

“All South Australian public school and preschool learning areas/classrooms have air-conditioners installed,” they said.

“The Department for Education has both an inclement weather policy (which includes extreme heat) and a sun protection policy for schools.”

According to the department, during heatwave weather, schools and preschools should make decisions that best suit their local circumstances, including:

• Look at arranging work or learning tasks to maximise time in the shade, or, if possible relocate indoors.
• Adjust break times to maximise activity time in the cooler parts of the day.
• Arrange drinking water supply to keep hydrated.
• Provide supervised airconditioned indoor spaces for students at break times.

“Schools are also required to undertake risk assessments for planned excursions, camps, sporting events etc which would take into account extreme weather,” the spokesperson said.

“School principals have the option of early dismissal in the heatwave, however, schools are advised to use this with caution as early dismissal may expose some students to greater heat risks in their own homes or from travelling during the hottest part of the day – usually 11am to 3pm.

“All buses are running as per normal unless there is a forecast of catastrophic fire conditions. The CFS will advise the department when those conditions occur and bus runs need to be closed.

“Additionally, the department works in collaboration with other agencies such as the South Australian State Emergency Service and SA Health to amplify community messaging about heatwave.”

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 28 January 2026.