Lockdown and Emergency

Emergency Management Information for Parents and Caregivers

Key risks for our school

In addition to planning for events such as fires, earthquakes, and pandemics, because of our location, we also specifically plan for volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and flooding.

Traumatic Incident Response Team

The School’s Traumatic Incident Response Team consists of:

• The Principal and/or Deputy Principal
• Teachers as appropriate, e.g., teacher of victim/s
• Admin personnel (to take minutes)
• Any other person relevant to the situation, e.g., staff member with First Aid Certificate, Community Constable, Board member, parent, pastoral care.

Preparing for and practising our plan

A lockdown practice is held in Term 1 each year and processes are reviewed at that time. Fire Drills are held in Terms 2 and 3 and a shakeout drill is held in Term 4.

Parents are informed in advance of any lockdown practices via the school newsletter and the school calendar. On the day, lockdown information is sent out via e-mail and the school website is kept up to date.

Emergency kit

Each classroom and area has a lockdown bucket, tissues and a bin liner.  The Traumatic Incident Response Team will be notified by staff of any children requiring medication and action will be taken by the appropriate Authorities.

Reviewing the plan

The Health & Safety Committee meet at least once a month. They review the drills as they take place and action any necessary items.

Communication in an emergency

All communication with parents is done via the school website and through sending e-mails.  It is vital that we have up to date contact details and parents are asked to contact the office immediately if their details change.

Authorised persons to uplift your child

Only parents/caregivers and others who are authorised to do so, as stated on the child’s enrolment form, will be allowed to collect children from the school or safe place, when it is safe to do so.  Parents are also asked to contact the office immediately if this information changes.

Evacuations

If moving off-site due to an emergency, relevant information will be e-mailed to parents and will be on the website.

Lockdown

If we need to go into lockdown:

• Everyone at school will be brought inside.  No-one else will be allowed into the school once the doors have been shut.
• Please wait for information and instructions from us and do not come to the school until asked to do so, even if it is the end of the day. Arriving when we are still managing an emergency could put you, your child, and our staff at risk.
• We will continue to provide the very best care we can to keep your child as safe as possible.
• If needed and when it is safe to do so, we will ask you to come and collect your child.
• For some lockdown events, there will not be any need for your child to be picked up as school will continue as normal after the event has ended.

Reunification process

Once the ‘all clear’ is received from emergency services, parents will be given instructions regarding the collection of their children.

Supporting children after an emergency event

Children will be supported through an emergency event in the following ways:

• They will be provided with age-appropriate information about the event.
• All children will be monitored carefully so that any wellbeing concerns are identified early.
• Counselling will be offered to those who need it.

If you have any concerns about your child, please speak with us. We have support mechanisms we can access to provide you and your child with the help you need.