College News
Dear parents and carers,
I’m writing to let you know there have been a couple of incidents at our school in the past term that required us to enact our student safety procedures.
Students remained in their classrooms for a time, while we worked to calm the situation.
Once it had de-escalated, we returned to our normal daily routine.
I want to reassure you that there were no risks to students or staff at any time, and no disruption to classes. Learning continued as normal throughout the time the safety procedures were in place.
The health, safety and wellbeing of students remains our top priority, and wellbeing support is available for any students who may need it.
I have included a document on
Understanding Lockdowns in Schools: Safety and Preparedness. Our Leadership team is currently working on a coding system and a message system, that enables communication of the process needed, depending on the threat. We have also been supported by our amazing emergency services. In Term 2 we enjoyed the sirens and fire trucks to build the scene for what a real Fire evacuation would look like with a real truck and fire fighters.
Students even got a chance, to hold the fire hose.
With Lockdowns, we are building students awareness, with our local police force joining students at Breakfast club. This week, we had a visit from Isaac the policeman. From time to time depending on the threat, the police may be called to assist us. The better prepared we are the better prepared our students are. Supporting confidence and wellbeing, minimising distractions, and maximising learning.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns via the school front office. My door is always open.
Donna Tucker
Acting Principal
Understanding Lockdowns in Schools: Safety and Preparedness
At Edenhope College, the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff remain our highest priority. As part of our comprehensive safety procedures, we have established a range of lockdown protocols to ensure a quick and appropriate response to any potential threat or emergency. It is essential for students, staff, and parents to understand the different types of lockdowns and how they work to keep our school community safe.
Types of Lockdowns
Full Lockdown: A full lockdown is initiated when there is an immediate and serious threat on or near the school premises. During this lockdown, students and staff are instructed to stay in classrooms or other secure locations. Doors are locked, windows are covered, and everyone is required to remain silent and out of sight. No one is allowed to leave or enter the building until the authorities have given the all-clear.
Partial Lockdown: A partial lockdown is used when there is a potential threat outside the school, such as nearby police activity. While the threat does not directly affect the school, additional security measures are put in place. In this scenario, students remain inside, and external access to the school is restricted, but normal classroom activities continue.
Silent Lockdown: A silent lockdown is designed to minimize disruption during less severe threats or incidents where discretion is necessary. For example, if there is a minor disturbance or a situation requiring caution without creating panic, a silent lockdown will be initiated. Classroom doors are locked, and students continue their activities quietly, with limited movement inside the school.
In-Shelter Lockdown: In-shelter lockdowns occur when the threat is environmental rather than human-related. These may include severe weather events such as storms, high winds, or external hazards like chemical spills. During an in-shelter lockdown, students and staff are instructed to move to designated safe areas within the building. These areas provide protection from external elements, and movement is restricted until it is safe to resume regular activities. Shelter-in-place protocols are practiced regularly to ensure everyone knows where to go in such situations.
Procedures for Lockdowns During Break
Full Lockdown: If a full lockdown is required during break time, students and staff will be directed to the nearest safe location as quickly as possible. Depending on the situation, this might be returning to their classrooms or entering a designated lockdown area, such as a gym, library, or nearby classroom. Staff members on duty are trained to communicate instructions clearly, and students are encouraged to remain calm, follow directions, and move swiftly to safety. clearly, and students are encouraged to remain calm, follow directions, and move swiftly to safety.
Why Lockdowns Are Important
Lockdowns are a critical part of our school’s emergency response plan, designed to protect students, staff, and visitors from potential harm. Each type of lockdown is tailored to the specific threat level, allowing us to act quickly and effectively. While some lockdowns are more restrictive than others, all are aimed at keeping everyone safe while minimising unnecessary disruption.
Communication During Lockdowns
During any type of lockdown, it is important for families to remain informed. Edenhope College is committed to providing timely updates through secure communication channels, including emails and text notifications. Parents will be notified when it is safe to collect their children or when normal school operations have resumed.
How to Prepare
Parents are encouraged to discuss lockdown procedures with their children in a calm and reassuring manner. Understanding that these drills are precautionary and designed to protect them will help reduce anxiety. At Edenhope College, we practice regular lockdown drills to ensure all students and staff are familiar with the procedures and know what to do in the event of an emergency.
At Edenhope College, we continuously work with local authorities to update and improve our safety protocols. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our lockdown procedures, please feel free to contact the school administration.
Safety First—Together, We Stay Prepared!