What should have been a summer of fun, learning and growth was shadowed by a sometime literal black cloud that has shaped the start of their school year.

Two families and a staff member of Ulladulla Public School have lost their homes while dozens of children pass the blackened trees and sometimes razed homes on their way to and from school each day.

Following the traumatic summer, Ulladulla has employed a wellbeing officer along with retaining their school counsellor.

Every child deals with trauma differently, so setting up pastoral programs was important at the start of the school year, Ulladulla Public School principal Trent Burns said.

"The well-being officer is someone there for the kids to talk to," Ulladulla Public School principal Trent Burns said.

Mr Burns said they had also seen the economic impact of a slow summer.

"We're setting up a breakfast club as we noticed what was in some lunchboxes dwindling.

The aim is to offer one or two meals a week for students.

"It's for students so we can take some of the burden of families having to provide, so it's not hitting their hip pocket as much."

NSW Primary Schools Principals' Association has also started a sponsor a school program. Rosemeadow and Berry have partnered with Ulladulla, donating funds and goods. Their principals have also said staff will visit the district to boost the local economy.

"We're so grateful," Mr Burns said.

Ulladulla Public School is hosting its Welfare Day on Thursday, March 12. It's an open day for all with visits from the St George Illawarra Dragons, Illawarra Hawks, Canberra Capitals expected.

"It's just a fun day for our kids," Mr Burns said.

Further north, Milton Public School has been one the worst-affected schools in the state over the bushfire season. Two teachers and 19 children have been displaced with their homes razed and another layer of families have had structures damaged, and children whose secondary homes have been affected.

Milton Public School deputy principal Melissa Blondinau said 403 of 687 children enrolled were directly impacted either having to escape encroaching fire, evacuate to recovery centres or had parents at home fighting fires to protect property.

In response, they have set-up a trauma-based response in classrooms. Teachers monitor children as they know the best.

"It's up to our teachers, we feel they know our kids the best."

Extra school counsellors are on-board to address fears and anxiety with 50 students using the services. However, school leaders agreed it was important to establish routine before rolling out welfare programs.

The art club is working on a mural to paint the story of the summer, gardening club is active, students will supporting the 151^st Milton Show and a tennis program has been created for each grade to participate in over the year.

School newsletters have also supported parents offering advice on seeking mental health and financial help and GP information. Treading Lightly Inc also provided a laptop to each teacher who lost their belongings when fires struck their homes.

In the immediate aftermath of the New Year's Eve fires, Ulladulla High School staff sought to find and support any families who had lost homes.

Fifteen families and one teacher lost their homes, while a number suffered damage and countless more having to evacuate numerous times over the whole summer. Many members of staff fought fires to protect homes.

Holidays were lost, principal Denise Lofts said.

"Our staff are tired, it's the same with the kids as well."

Based on research from other major fires, the school decided to start a project sharing the values of joy, hope and renewal.

The first phase was on providing students with targeted personal materials while supporting goal-setting for hope and renewal post fires.

"It can be small goals, it doesn't have to be major."

The second phase includes support personnel to work alongside students, teachers and families which will support and encourage initiatives in the school environment that will contribute to better psycho-social outcomes.

The third phase is to create a sanctuary area for the entire student cohort.

"The sanctuary will provide a safe environment for positive initiatives, enhancing student and organisational contributions to positive recovery and resilience."

Ms Lofts also praised support from schools, service and volunteer organisations for donating supplies and funds for their programs.

Visit: https://www.schoolsplus.org.au/reviving-our-fire-devastated-community/ to donate to Ulladulla High School's revival fund.