We take the health and safety of all personnel on the school campus very seriously. On Thursday 7 March, the school had a fire drill. This is one of several scenarios we enact throughout the year.

We have a range of processes in place to ensure that, in the event of an emergency, we are able to manage the situation as best we can and keep all personnel on campus safe and secure. The following brief descriptions are what will happen on campus in the event of an emergency:

Fire / Building Danger

Move staff and students from an area of Higher Risk to an area of Lower Risk. When you hear the alarm or the evacuation notification on the speaker system, follow the instructions and go to the Evacuation Assembly Point (Safe Zone). This is on the far side of the rugby field, by Gordon Spratt Reserve.

Earthquake

Drop, Cover, Hold. All personnel take immediate measures to protect themselves from building debris.

If you are outside, move away from buildings to open ground.

If you are inside, take refuge under or between tables facing the centre of the room, away from the glass.

Once the shaking has stopped, safely evacuate to the Evacuation Meeting Place.

Tsunami

All personnel will move immediately to the first floor on campus.

The threat from a possible tsunami is evaluated. A decision is made as to either:

1. Stay put;
2. Move to the tsunami platform next to the school at Gordon Spratt Reserve;
3. Move to the Pāpāmoa Hills.

Lockdown

Intruder / Dangerous situation that requires the school to remain inside and out of sight.

The objective is to move immediately to an area of safety.

All personnel will be kept indoors and out of sight, if appropriate.

If you are outside but close to a building; move directly to and enter that building.

If you are on the fields or courts; run away from the college to behind the tsunami bund.

If required, the school will follow direct instructions from the Police once they control the situation.

Information & Communication

The school will always decide and act on the most accurate and verified information. Accurate sources include Civil Defence alerts and website, NZ Police, and the Ministry of Education.

Social media and other unauthorised communication channels will not be used as a primary source of information.

The school will use our standard communication methods to inform parents, caregivers and whānau about what is happening at school when it is relevant to share information.

These methods primarily include emails and texts. We will also update the school website with relevant information as soon as possible during an event.

Parents and Caregivers in Emergency Situations

Parents and caregivers must allow school personnel to initiate the relevant emergency response plan and effectively manage the situation on campus.

We appreciate that some parents and caregivers may want to arrive at school to collect their children.

Any parent, caregiver, or guardian wanting to collect their child must sign for them in the centre of the school - upstairs on the open bridge area. There will be personnel to guide you to the correct location.

Students will only be released into the care of their parents, caregivers, and guardians.

Note: In a total lockdown situation, the police have advised that parents DO NOT come to the school. The police will inform the school when the situation is resolved, and we will then update parents accordingly.

Important Points for Community-Wide Emergencies

• An emergency could happen at any time of the day - even on the way to or from school
• Families must have determined a personal response plan on what to do in an emergency
• Every citizen will need to take responsibility for their safety as much as they can
• Roads could be blocked with traffic - access and movement may be limited
• Mobile phone services and internet may be limited or disrupted
• People will be anxious and have a heightened sense of urgency
• In a significant situation, everyone in the community will be affected

Additional information in the event of an emergency for the community can be gained from:

Tauranga City Council Tsunami Evacuation Zone Maps

Pāpāmoa Tsunami Evacuation Zones

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence