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The principal of a Dubbo school hit by a suspicious fire earlier this month says they’ve been showered with generosity from the community. Support flowed to Buninyong Public School to help it rebuild for the start of the new term after it lost a number of classrooms and its canteen to the July 10 blaze. Despite the significant damage the school was ready for the return of students on the first day of term, thanks to the efforts of members of the Buninyong and wider communities. Principal Anne van Dartel told of staff who came in from “early to late” in the wake of the fire, “phenomenal” parents and a terrific Parents and Citizens committee. Donated books and games came steadily to her office and families of students helped by making playdough to be used as a resource. Two children from Dubbo South bought pencil cases out of their own pocket money for the Buninyong students, the principal reported. “I thought (that) was just a beautiful act of kindness,” Mrs van Dartel said. “I’ve got a lady from Eumungerie making all our library bags. “So there’s people that aren’t even connected with our school who are contributing in a very positive, generous manner. “The goodwill we’ve experienced has outweighed anything that we could keep as a negative from the fire. “So I think that’s really restored everyone’s faith in human nature in the way things have gone.” The first week had gone smoothly, the principal said. “The children have settled in very well, they’re very happy in their new classrooms,” Mrs van Dartel said. The week had started with students from the classrooms affected by the fire unwrapping new resources to be set up in their new learning spaces. The fruits of the week’s work was evident when the Daily Liberal visited Year 1 France on Thursday, with artwork of the Eiffel Tower adorning the walls. Police believe the fire was deliberately lit and the damage it caused is estimated at more than $750,000. Inspector Dan Skelly said police had a number of leads they were following up and inquiries continued.

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