I hope everyone had a restful Queens Birthday weekend. On Tuesday our staff participated in their professional development programmes.

Our teaching staff participated in our Mathematics professional development and our support staff were involved in training in the Zones of Regulation and were introduced to our new readers that we have received that focus on learning sounds. 

We also participated in our Lockdown training and the Shelter in Place programme.  Since the review by the Ministry of Education of the Lockdown in Christchurch we have some new guidelines.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The school is required to practice the following emergency procedures. The following must include students and whānau.

1. Fire

2. Earthquake

3. Shelter in Place

4. Lockdown (staff only)

5. Term 4 NZ wide Shake Out

LOCKDOWN -

A lockdown occurs when it is initiated  by the following  

• NZ Police

• School principal or delegated

• Other emergency services

• Ministry of Education (at the direction of NZ Police or other emergency service)

Students staff and visitors will be required to lock down the school. Until we are given the all clear by outside authorities.

SHELTER IN PLACE-this is a new initiative by the Ministry of Education

A shelter in place is put in place if the threat is external and not directed at the school. Eg a swarm of wasps, chemical spill or active armed offender incident in the communty (but not in or near the school grounds. Shelter in place is used to prevent harm to the people who are at school. It is activated when a serious threat exists that requires children, staff and visitors to remain inside a facilty for safety. During a shelter in place staff and students stay inside, lock doors where possible however normal instruction can continue and there is no need to restrict movement inside.

Staff need to wait until they are given the all clear before leaving the building.

LOCKDOWN OR SHELTER IN PLACE

When a lockdown or shelter in place in place instruction is given, staff should activate their emergency management plan. The principal or DP is responsible for alerting everyone on site of the situation, including visitors and contractors. If parents and caregivers are also on-site, they will be required to follow staff instructions.

Both shelter in place and lockdown require everyone to quickly move inside.

Police will usually direct us to lockdown rather than use the term ‘shelter in place.'

The nature of the situation described by police or other emergency services will determine whether the school moves to a lockdown (incident directed at the school) or shelter in place (incident nearby but not directed at the school)

If there is insufficient information at the time then the school is advised to implement a lockdown until further information comes to hand from Police or other emergency services

Following further information and where appropriate the school will then choose to move to shelter in place if appropriate.

We will use our communication strategies to keep everyone informed if at any stage we need to go into a Lockdown, or a Shelter in Place.