Across the school year we are likely to be faced with some kind of emergency.  Over my time here we have had plumbers hit underground power at 8.45am on a school day, and then the devastating storms that hit Mirboo North which also impacted the power and water supply to St Vincent's.  In both cases we needed to make a decision to cancel school due to the site not being operational.

If an emergency takes place the primary way of communicating with families will be via Schoolzine.  This online system can be used by staff at school as well as remotely, with DOSCEL also able to access this communication tool if the school staff are impacted.  If possible we will then attempt to replicate the message on the school website and via Facebook.  In widespread circumstances, the media and the Victorian Department of Education are likely to have bulk messages around school closures and school bus information.  Typically our school site is more likely to be impacted by lack of services or potentially a lack of staff .... I think our windy position on the top of a hill protects us from floods!

If by chance an emergency happens during the day and we need to close the site we have a few management plans that can be executed.  In Morwell this is likely to be caused by a storm, flood or fire.  We would ask for your calm and orderly support if we needed to conduct an early dismissal.  Protocols would include only taking your own children (or with confirmed permission like at a sports day) with signing out potentially taking place in bulk from the student entry foyer rather than overfilling the office foyer.

Fingers crossed we never get to implement any of our Emergency Plans!