Lockdown and Shelter in Place
At Paparoa Street School, the poari matua ensures that the kura is a physically and emotionally safe place where risks to health and safety (both physical and mental) are eliminated or minimised (Health and Safety at Work Act 2015; Education and Training Act 2020). This includes having lockdown and shelter in place procedures. This information is part of our emergency management plan and kept with our printed emergency plans and procedures. Because there may be a security risk, we do not publish our lockdown and shelter in place procedures online or share these with our kura community. A basic overview of what to expect during a lockdown or shelter in place is provided below.
- Lockdown procedures are usually activated in response to an incident directed at the kura (e.g. an attacker on kura grounds).
- Shelter in place procedures are usually activated in response to an incident near the kura but not directed at the kura specifically (e.g. an extreme weather event, or an incident in the community that is not in or near the kura). Teaching and learning continues if possible.
Preparing for lockdown and shelter in place events
As part of our emergency management planning, we:
- have lockdown and shelter in place procedures kept with our printed emergency plan and procedures
- share our procedures with kaimahi kura
- practise our procedures as appropriate.
What our kura community can expect during a lockdown or shelter in place
Our actions at the time of an emergency event may differ depending on the situation, or recommendations from authorities.
At the time of a lockdown or shelter in place, members of our kura community can expect the following.
- A lockdown or shelter in place may be signalled by the tumuaki or their delegate, or authorities such as the New Zealand Police or other emergency services.
- If we do not receive detailed instructions from authorities and/or emergency services, we follow our standard lockdown/shelter in place procedures until further information is available.
- The tumuaki or their delegate is responsible for alerting everyone on site (including manuhiri and contractors) of a lockdown/shelter in place, and informing stakeholders as appropriate (e.g. board, neighbouring areas).
- Kaimahi follow the direction of authorities and emergency services, and everyone on site is expected to follow kaimahi instructions.
- The kura communicates with parents/caregivers about the situation as appropriate. Parents/Caregivers must follow any instructions issued by authorities and/or the kura, including not coming to the kura if advised. This is particularly important if the kura is in lockdown under police direction.
After a lockdown or shelter in place event
Once the lockdown or shelter in place is over (i.e. all clear signal), we decide whether to continue operations or close the kura – see Emergency Closure.
We support our kura community after an incident and may activate our traumatic incidents procedures as appropriate – see Managing Traumatic Incidents and After an Emergency.
Related policies
Resources
: Term 4 2025, Term 2 2023, Term 2 2022
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