Update: 5.45pm
Stawell Secondary College principal Nick Lynch was right in the middle of a job interview when the school was suddenly forced into action to deal with a bomb threat.
Two emails were sent to the school’s main email address and said an explosive device planted on the school grounds would detonate at 2pm.
The first email was received at 12.40pm and a second followed at 1.36pm.
Mr Lynch said the school was no longer in lock-down, but at the time a receptionist disrupted the interview and alerted him about the threat.
“We called the police and the Department of Education and a calm and orderly evacuation followed,” he said.
Students were led into the science wing, the nearest hall to the school’s front entrance.
Mr Lynch said it was the most secure space under the circumstances.
“It sheltered all staff and students, it was close to toilets, fresh water and had air-conditioning – everyone was comfortable in there,” he said.
School staff updated their Facebook page and sent out text messages to concerned parents during the ordeal.
The following message was received by a parent who did not wish to be named:
Following a threat received by Stawell Secondary College, all students have been moved to safe classrooms. Following a full check of the school by the police students will return to class. Dismissal will be at the normal time and normal locations. Buses will run as normal…
Mr Lynch said digital communication played a key role in keeping parents and other members of the school community calm.
“It helped make what could have been a very stressful situation much easier to manage,” he said.
A Department of Education councillor will be at the school tomorrow to talk to anybody concerned about today’s events.
Police are still investigating the incident.
Earlier: 2.45pm
Students remain secured in the front wing of Stawell Secondary as police and the bomb squad investigate a bomb threat.
Two emails were sent to the school and said an explosive device planted on the school grounds would detonate at 2pm.
Northern Grampians Acting Inspector Brendan Broadbent said police were checking the area and conducting all other necessary safety precautions.
“We are taking all precautions and making sure everyone is going to be safe,” he said.
“It appears the email spoke about a device being detonated at around 2pm which is past.
“At this stage we are not discounting anything, we are not saying it is a hoax call, we are looking into it and trying to confirm the validity of the threat.
“The students have been catered for – this is obviously a disruption to their classes, but it is all done on safety precautions.”
School principal Nick Lynch assured concerned parents that all students were safe.
“The kids are safe and police are here working with us,” he said.
Earlier: 2.20pm
Stawell Secondary College is being evacuated as the school deals with two bomb threats received via email.
The first email was received at 12.40pm and a second followed at 1.36pm.
The emails were sent to the main email address of Stawell Secondary College.
More to come.
