Cyclone Information for Parents

Cyclone Watch/Warning: Children are to attend school as per normal.

Blue Alert

In a blue alert, the school will usually remain open. If a Yellow Alert is predicted and likely to be declared at some time during the school day the school will not open and children are to remain at home.

If the school is to close, this information will be broadcasted via the following local radio stations. Emergency information is broadcasted at approximately ¼ past the hour. The frequency of the updates will depend on the type of cyclone alert. School closure will be broadcasted between 6.15 am and 7.45 am.

  • ABC Radio (Official Broadcast)
  • Spirit Radio (Unofficial Broadcast)

The closure advice will be repeated each morning until the decision to re-open the school is made by the DDG after discussion with the RED. Principals will then be notified that a school can reopen.

School buses may be affected at this stage. Any change to the bus operation will be given on the radio at the above times.

PLEASE DO NOT RING THE SCHOOL.

All information and updated reports relating to the warnings and school closure ARE ISSUED ON THE RADIO. Please keep yourself informed.

Yellow Alert

If a Yellow Alert is declared during a school day, the following will occur:

  • Yellow Alert before 12:00 pm: – students can be picked up immediately from their classroom. The school will close at lunchtime. Students will not be sent home until collected by, or instructions are received from parents.
  • Yellow alert after 12:00 pm: – students can be picked up immediately from their classroom. The school will close at the usual time. Students will not be sent home until instructions are received from parents.
  • Yellow alert after 14:00 pm: - If a Yellow Alert is called at or after 2.00 pm schools will generally be closed the following day. Please continue to listen to the radio to receive information as to when schools will open.

The above does not preclude immediate closure in extenuating circumstances and if deemed necessary by the Cyclone Committee.

Red Alert

The School will remain closed during a Red Alert.

  • In the event that a Red Alert is proclaimed after 2.00 pm, schools will remain closed the following day.
  • In the event that a Red Alert is proclaimed after 2.00 pm but subsequently cancelled, the Regional Executive Director in consultation with the Cyclone Committee has the discretion to ensure that schools open the following day.

AFTER THE CYCLONE

If a Red Alert is called after 2.00 pm schools will generally be closed the following day to allow for assessment and repair of serious damage. Please continue to listen to the radio to receive information as to when schools will open.

Staff and students cannot return or enter school grounds until the school has been assessed and meets all safety and health standards.

Please keep yourself informed via the radio until all threats from the cyclone are passed.