Severe Weather
In the event of bad weather, the following general arrangements will apply and appropriate announcements will be made via the ESF App.
Rainstorm warnings
| Rainstorm warning system | Action to be taken | |
|---|---|---|
| AMBER | School will operate as normal | |
| RED OR BLACK | (i) Before the start of school | School will close for the whole day. If the warning is raised at the time your child sets off for school he/she should stay at home. |
| (ii) After students have set off for school, but before the commencement of school | The school will accept those students who arrive, and retain them until it is safe to allow them to proceed home. | |
| (iii) When classes are in session | School continues until the end of normal hours and students are retained until conditions are safe for them to return home. | |
Tropical cyclones
| Signal | Action to be taken |
|---|---|
| Hoisting of No.1 Signal: | School will operate as normal |
| Hoisting of No.3 Signal: | School will operate as normal, unless advised otherwise. |
| Hoisting of No.8 Signal or above: | School will close for the whole day. If the warning is raised at the time your child sets off for school he/she should stay at home. |
In the event of a Typhoon No.8 or a Red/Black rainstorm warning while the children are at school:
- PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SCHOOL in order to leave our phone lines free for other calls.
- Check the ESF App regularly for any updates.
- Parents of children who do not use the school bus should NOT travel to DC to collect their child until the relevant signal has been lowered.
- If a Typhoon No.8, or a Red/Black rainstorm warning is already in operation while the children are at school, the school buses will not leave school until it is lowered.
Hot weather procedures
During the summer months the relative heat index is used to determine when the environment for outdoor activities poses an increased risk for heat related emergencies. The index takes into account both temperature and humidity to determine the ‘relative’ temperature.
Hot weather procedures for staff
Yard Duty Actions
- Primary students without hats must remain in the shaded play area (as per normal procedures).
- Monitor students for signs of heat exhaustion – these include appearing pale/ flushed, sweating profusely, muscle cramps, nausea or stomach-ache. Please have these students accompanied directly to the nurse.
- Remind students to stop and rehydrated during play time.
- Encourage non-intensive activities – If you see children who have been playing a running game please stop the game and have them sit in the shade and rehydrate.
- Please note: The library will be open at 12.45pm and available to all students for a cool indoor option when temperatures have reached ‘Danger’ level.
Post Break Time:
- Ensure that all students have ample time and access to water. Encourage students to keep water bottles close and rehydrate for at least 10-15 minutes after break time.
- Provide a cool down period after outdoor play.
- Monitor students for signs of heat exhaustion – these include appearing pale/ flushed, sweating profusely, muscle cramps, nausea or stomach-ache. Please have these students accompanied directly to the nurse.
Additional Precautions:
- Monitor students playing on the foreshore area for profuse sweating and flushed or pale appearance. These students require an enforced (rather than encouraged rehydration and cool down period.
- Incorporate regular intervals of rest and hydration between sessions of sport.
- Teachers in the blocks after lunch are advised to monitor students and encourage rehydration throughout their class or at least for the first 10-15 minutes upon entering from outdoors.
For further details and arrangements, please refer to the Parent and Student Handbook.