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Emergency Closure

At St Joseph's School, the board ensures that the school 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). To keep our school community safe, we have procedures to manage emergency closure and reunification. This information is part of our emergency management plan and kept with our printed emergency plans and procedures.

The board may close the school due to an epidemic, flood, fire, or any other emergency. This board responsibility is delegated to the board chair or the principal, who consult with each other and relevant parties as able before making a decision. We take into account the nature of the situation, the safety of the buildings and grounds, the status of essential utilities (e.g. water, power, and heating), and the health and wellbeing of staff and students. The decision for closure may be made in conjunction with other stakeholders (e.g. other schools) or may be at the direction of authorities (e.g. police, government).

Planning and preparing for an emergency closure

As part of our emergency management planning, we:

• have a communication plan for informing our school community of an emergency closure
• have procedures for emergency closure and reunification of students with their parents/caregivers
• maintain up-to-date emergency contact lists
• keep accurate attendance records for students and register all visitors.

Procedures for emergency closure and reunification

If closure is required before the school day begins, the principal or their delegate informs our school community using available communication options. Board members or delegated staff who can get to school safely inform anyone who arrives on school grounds that the school is closed, and ensure that any unaccompanied students are kept safe until collected.

When closure is required during school hours, staff and students are supported and kept safe until their departure.

• The principal or their delegate informs staff of the closure and assesses and manages staffing requirements, including consideration for staff needs (e.g. transportation and childcare issues). Staff seek permission before leaving the school.
• We inform our school community about the closure and instruct parents/caregivers about reunification with students.
• The principal or their delegate liaises with other services and relevant agencies (e.g. transport, before and after school care, onsite workers/contractors).
• Teachers supervise students until they are released. If a student cannot be safely released, the school takes responsibility for their care until an appropriate arrangement is made.
• The school keeps a record of who collects students – this may be the parent/caregiver, an emergency contact, or another designated person approved by parents/caregivers. We only allow students to make their own way home if it is considered appropriate and safe in the circumstances.

Ongoing operations and return to school

We advise our Ministry regional office of the closure as soon as possible and may be able to reduce the number of half days we are open for the year.

We keep our school community informed about the ongoing status of the school and when the school will reopen. In some circumstances (e.g. a pandemic), the school may be closed while learning continues off site. See After an Emergencyand Distance Learning.

Related policies

• Extreme Weather
• Evacuation
• After an Emergency
• Opening and Closing the School
• Distance Learning

Legislation

• Education and Training Act 2020
• Health and Safety at Work Act 2015

Resources

• Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga: Prepare for an emergency or traumatic incident

Release history: Term 4 2025, Term 2 2025, Term 2 2022