RAINSTORM AND TYPHOON WARNINGS
The rainy season lasts from April to September. Parents are advised to note the following arrangements, which apply in all cases except where students are taking external examinations (see EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS below).
TYPHOONS
Before school hours: Parents should use the radio or television (or consult the EDB or ESF websites) to receive announcements on the closure of schools.
If Typhoon Signal Pre-8 or Signal 8 or above is raised prior to school hours, the school will close.
The pre-8 signal indicates that the observaory expects to raise the no. 8 signal within two hours, giving school and families the opportunity to be prepared.
If a signal is raised while students are travelling to school, the school will receive students and hold them until arrangements can be made for them to return home at an appropriate time.
In school hours: With the government announcement of the closure of schools, all schools are to close. In that situation principals will ensure that safe and adequate arrangements can be made for students to return home.
If that is impossible the school will inform affected parents that their children will remain in school until it is safe to release them or until a parent or designated responsible adult picks them up. Students will not be sent home on school buses once a Signal 8 or above has been hoisted.
Lowering of signals:
When a typhoon signal is lowered to no. 3 or all signals are cancelled, the school will open on the next school day.
HEAVY PERSISTENT RAIN
The Amber, Red, Black Warnings are independent of other warnings e.g. landslip or typhoon warnings.
In the event of an Amber Warning, school will continue as normal.
If the Red or Black Warning is raised before school, then school will be closed for the whole day. If the warning is raised at the time your child sets off for school (s)he should stay at home.
If the Red or Black Warning is raised after students have departed for school but before the commencement of school, then the school will accept those students who arrive, and retain them until it is safe to allow them to proceed home.
If the Red or Black Warning is raised when classes are in session, school will continue until the end of normal hours and students are retained until conditions are safe for them to return home.
The school will not allow students to return home, including on a school bus when a Red or Black Warning is issued.
In these circumstances children may only be released to a parent or designated responsible adult if requested by a parent to do so. The school will not request parents to come to school to collect their children in dangerous conditions.
If school buses can be arranged when the relevant signals are lowered, then they should run. If not, the school will advise parents (or designated responsible adult) to collect their children from school.
When in doubt, parents should consult the school website for clarification on arrangements in inclement weather.
When relevant observatory signals are lowered, the emergency notices will be removed from the school website, indicating a business as usual situation.
EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS
It should not be assumed that the above procedures will hold for those taking external examinations e.g. GCSE, International Baccalaureate Diploma or BTEC.
In the event of a Typhoon 8 signal, it is likely that all examinations will be postponed.
In the event of a Red/ Black rainstorm parents should listen to the radio for announcements about examinations and should check the school website. Even though there is a decision to close schools, you must assume that exams will take place unless there is a separate announcement postponing them.
In the event of postponement, there will be announcements made about re-scheduling. Again, listen to your radio constantly and check the information on the school website.
In extreme weather please do not telephone the school unless it is absolutely necessary.