The Department of Education supports Marlborough Girls’ College’s response to threats made against the school this week, despite receiving two complaints.
The college and neighboring school Bohally Intermediate School were both locked down Threat reports on Thursday. It was the second threat received by the girls’ school in two days.
Following Wednesday’s threat, a message posted on a bathroom wall, some parents had expressed concern over the decision to send the students back to school on Thursday, but the school said police believed there was no further risk. Thursday’s threat was made by telephone.
ANTHONY PHELPS/delivered
A woman hugs a student after being released from the cordon on Thursday afternoon.
Nancy Bell, Te Tai Runga (south) hauto (leader) of the ministry, said the ministry had received two complaints about the school’s response to the threats.
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The college had notified the Department of the threats and activated its emergency management protocols, Bell said.
“We have been in contact with the school and the police to provide support where necessary.
“Given that the school has acted on the advice of the police, we have no reason to assess or investigate.”
Matthew Hampson / Stuff
Several police patrol cars are parked along McLauchlan St as police searched the school on Thursday.
Complainants were encouraged to work with the school and follow the Board of Trustees’ formal complaints process, Bell said.
“If the complainant still has concerns after that process, they can contact our local office in Te Mahau for advice.”
College Principal Mary-Jeanne Lynch announced that there would be no classes on Friday and students were asked to learn from home, although junior students who had to be in school were still welcome and school buses would still run.
Lynch said she was aware of the wellbeing of staff and students, so the decision to keep students at home Friday was made “given the disruption [on Thursday] and the level of need for some people.”
Matthew Hampson / Stuff
Armed police guard the cordon at McLauchlan St.
Lynch thanked the school community for their cooperation and strength during the lockdown, she said in a Facebook post on Thursday evening.
“Students and staff showed strength and unity in supporting each other.
“Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations and the collective kindness and patience were just fantastic – our values of Whanaungatanga, Manaakitanga and Kotahitanga in action!”
Lynch also thanked the police for their response and professionalism, meaning the threat was quickly resolved.
“We know our students and whānau will talk at home about today’s events. We want them to focus on how well everyone responded and supported each other, not speculating about cases being handled by the police.”
The school would normally be open on Monday, she said.
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Wakatipu High School was evacuated on Thursday 28 July after a bomb threat.
The threats came the same week as more than a dozen schools around the world Island got phone threats now being investigated by the police cybercrime unit. However, police said the two threats the girls’ school received were unrelated to other threats this week.
Parents of college students had wondered whether Wednesday’s threat was being taken seriously enough. Many students had messaged their families while taking shelter in classrooms during the lockdown.
Student 13, Honey Dewhirst, said they locked the doors, turned off the lights and drew the class curtains during the lockdown.
“We’ve put desks against the door,” she said.
ANTHONY PHELPS/delivered
People wait at the corner of McLauchlan Street and Nelson Street on Thursday afternoon for the cordon to be lifted.
At about 2:45 p.m., a cordon was set up to close off access to McLauchlan St before the parents arrived to collect their children, and police had to send distressed parents away.
The students were eventually released from the lockdown around 4 p.m. Police confirmed they spoke to two young people about the incident.
Tasman Area Commander Simon Feltham said shortly after the incident that police believed there was no further threat to the public following the incident.
“Emergency services want to highlight the negative impact hoax calls have on the community and on resources that may be needed to respond to other priority incidents.”
On Friday, police added that the investigation was ongoing and they could not provide any further information.
On Thursday morning, Lynch said Wednesday’s threat had been made anonymously and there were no circumstances prompting the school to lock the school.
It was a “major concern,” but police had “no concerns about student safety,” she said at the time.
“I would say that I have full confidence in the police, in their approach, and they have assured us that students and staff can go to school safely today, tomorrow and beyond.”
She was unable to provide more details about Wednesday’s threat and said she was following police advice not to share further information.