E Noho Tuheitia

Bomb Hoax

Today we experienced a rather frightening bomb threat via an automated ph call. Room 9 learners were at Tech Arts, whilst I was in the classroom working away at my desk. It started off with a lockdown announced over the loudspeaker, which I immediately responded to by locking the doors and hiding under my desk. Within 30Seconds the situation turned into an evacuation. I was calm and proceeded out of the door towards the field in the dorection of the tech arts rooms, I was concerned for the welfare of Te Aroha learners. 

The whole school remained on the field, in class lines, from 11:20 (ish), till just after 2pm. Students were allowed to be collected, once the school had been cleared by the police, and contact with parents/caregivers had been established. As a staff we made sure students had access to our cell phones, offered support to those that needed it, and continued to monitor the wellbeing of all Berkley learners.

This was a huge undertaking, which ran really smoothly. There were stages early on where we were not sure what the evacuation was all about, however we maintained our composure and kept up communication with one another.

This was a somehat frightening experience, and I was proud to be a part of a team that responded so quickly, efficiently, and professionally. 

Stuff.co.nz wrote about it here