Armed police (inset) at Thames High School. Photos / The Valley Profile, Google
Armed police (inset) at Thames High School. Photos / The Valley Profile, Google
Six North Island schools were either thrust into lockdown or evacuated following threats made towards the schools over the phone.
The Ministry of Education said it was aware of threats made towards five schools in Waikato and one school in Gisborne.
Matamata College, Matamata Intermediate, Thames High School, Cambridge High School, Firth Primary School and Lytton High School all announced on Facebook around noon that they had received threats and were either evacuating students, or had gone into lockdown.
The Ministry of Education's central region hautū (leader) Jocelyn Mikaere said the schools immediately initiated their emergency management plans and the police responded.
Students evacuated as police investigate phone threats
Earlier today, a teacher at Matamata Intermediate said the school conducted a lockdown drill earlier in the day and then got a call from police. The second lockdown was not a drill.
Firth Primary School was also in lockdown, but just before 1pm advised parents it was safe to pick up their children. Matamata Intermediate told parents about the same time they too could collect their children.
About 1.30pm, Thames High said students could go home if they were collected by a parent or guardian.
Police at Matamata College after a threat was made today. Photo / Mead Norton
Photo / Mead Norton
A teacher at a kohanga near Matamata College earlier said they had not been advised to go into lockdown but had done so out of concern. They said five police cars were parked at the front entrance of the school. Earlier they said they saw police with dogs.
Gisborne's Lytton High School said on Facebook at 12.40pm it too had received a bomb threat via phone.
"The police have been informed and are on site. All staff and students have been evacuated from buildings," the school said earlier
"The police have asked us all to remain on site for now."
A police spokesperson said they were liaising with schools and investigating. They searched buildings at some of the schools.
Matamata Intermediate. Photo / Mead Norton
"Police are aware of threats made via phone in relation to several North Island schools," they said.
At 12.12pm, Cambridge High School said in a Facebook post: "Due to a possible threat to the school, our students have been evacuated to the field. On the advice of the police we are going to evacuate from the school campus.
"Students will not have access to their bags and may be collected from Taylor St. Those who can walk home are encouraged to do so.
"Bus students will be supervised off the school campus until the usual bus time. The bus company has been contacted, and we have made arrangements for buses to pick students up from Taylor St at the usual time.
"Supervision is available for any student who cannot walk home or be collected before the end of the school day.
"All students and staff are safe, well and calm. The school reception and the student office cannot take calls at this time."
In a second update to parents, the school said some students may have left their cellphones in class and would need to find another way to contact their parents.
Students who normally caught the bus home may have walked to friends' homes while other bus students had gathered on a field where they could then be collected by their parents, the school said.
Parents of pupils at Thames High School received a message from the school saying: "Following police advice, we have gone into lockdown for what is believed to be a low-risk threat at the school. Following police advice we are now moving into an evacuation so that police can check the interior of the buildings. We will update you when we have more information."
They later said it was a "low-risk bomb threat".
Matamata College said: "This message is to let you know that the school has received a threat and out of an abundance of caution, we have evacuated under police guidance. The police are continuing to investigate. There is no need to panic. Please do not come to the school. Further communication will be sent out as soon as possible."
They later added: "The police are still searching the buildings, which could take some time. Students who have parents who can collect them now are able to do so. However, we need to ensure they are collected by their parents. If you are wanting to collect your child please meet the staff wearing high vis vests on Station Rd by the field. Please do not come onto the school grounds. We will bring students to you once you have spoken to a staff member. All students who drove themselves, who catch buses, or who rode bikes or walked to school need to remain, unless a parent can pick them up or until further notice. Please be patient."
Firth Primary School posted just before 1pm that "we have been advised by the police that it is safe for you to collect your child from school. You must come to the Station Rd entry to school only and wait at the office and your child will be safely delivered to the office.
"We can assure you that your child is safe and if they need to remain at school we will continue to follow instructions from the local police and update you with further information when this comes to hand."
Matamata Intermediate said parents could collect their children from the Smith St entrance. Parents were asked not to go on to the school grounds but to ask staff in hi-vis vests to escort their children to them.
