Tropical Cyclones are a seasonally occurring natural hazard that can cause considerable damage to property and potentially threaten lives. The North West cyclone season extends from the beginning of November through to the end of April each year. The SES and Bureau of Meteorology provides information to schools and the community about the potential threat of an approaching cyclone, ensuring sufficient preparations can be made to minimise the impact on our school and to ensure the safety of our students.
These are the school procedures which are to be adopted if a cyclone threatens our area. Feel free to print a copy of our Cyclone Management Plan.
Cyclone Watch / Warning
Children to attend school as normal.
Yellow Advice
If an Advice warning is declared, schools remain open and students are to attend as per normal.
All information and updated reports relating to the warnings and school closure are also issued on ABC Radio. The frequency of updates will depend on the type of cyclone alert. School closure will be broadcast between 6.15am - 7.45am.
- ABC Radio 6KP (frequency 702) 9183 5011
- Spirit Radio 6KA (frequency 1260) 9144 4333
School buses may be affected at this stage. Any change to the bus operation will be given on the radio at the above times OR check Main Roads WA website for possible road closures. PLEASE DO NOT RING THE SCHOOL. All information and updated reports relating to warnings and school closures are ISSUED ON THE RADIO. Please keep yourself informed.
Orange Watch and Act
If a Watch and Act is declared during a school day, the following will occur:
- Watch and Act warning before 12:00pm: Students can be picked up immediately from the school. The school will close at lunch time. Students will not be sent home until collected by bus operators, or instructions are received from carers.
- Watch and Act warning after 12:00 hours: Students can be picked up immediately from their classroom. The school will close at the normal time. Students will not be sent home until instructions are received from carers.
- Watch and Act warning at or after 14:00 hours: Schools will be closed the following day. Please continue to listen to the radio to receive information as to when schools will open. The closure advice will be repeated each morning until a decision to reopen is announced based on official advice from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The above does not preclude immediate closure in extenuating circumstances and if deemed necessary by your education regional office in consultation with the Deputy Director General Schools.
Red Emergency Warning
If an Emergency Warning is declared, the school will remain closed.
In the event an Emergency Warning is announced after 2.00pm: schools will remain closed the following day.
In the event that an Emergency Warning is cancelled by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, the director of education, in consultation with the Deputy Director General Schools, will advise when the school can re-open.
After the Cylcone
If an Emergency Warning is announced after 2.00pm schools will generally be closed the following day to allow for assessment and repair of serious damage. Staff and students cannot return or enter the school or site until this assessment has been completed and the school or site has been given the all clear.
Please continue to listen to the radio to receive information as to when schools will open. Keep yourself informed via the radio until all threat from the cyclone has passed.