St Paul’s Early Learning Centre
Cnr Trower Rd & Francis Street, Nightcliff NT 0810
P O Box 40344, Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8948 5362 or (08) 8985 1911 Fax: (08) 8948 0227
Email: admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au
ix - Emergency & Evacuation (including lock-down/out and cyclone procedures)
Rationale and Policy Considerations
We believe that children learn best in a safe, warm, loving and stimulating environment (St Paul’s
Early Learning Centre Philosophy).
Emergency - Any event that arises internally or from external sources, which may adversely affect
the safety of persons in a building or the community generally and requires immediate response by
the occupants (Catholic Education NT).
An emergency which may affect a worksite can develop from a number of causes. The development
by worksites and the implementation of emergency procedures are essential for the effective and
efficient management of any emergency (Catholic Education NT).
In accordance with regulation 168 and regulation 97 –
(1) The emergency and evacuation procedures required under regulation 168 must set out—
(a) instructions for what must be done in the event of an emergency; and
(b) an emergency and evacuation floor plan.
(2) For the purposes of preparing the emergency and evacuation procedures, the approved
provider of an education and care service must ensure that a risk assessment is conducted to
identify potential emergencies that are relevant to the service.
Penalty: $2000.
(3) The approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that—
(a) the emergency and evacuation procedures are rehearsed every 3 months that the
service is operating, by the nominated supervisor, staff members and volunteers and
children being educated and cared for by the service; and
(b) the rehearsals of the emergency and evacuation procedures are documented.
Penalty: $2000.
(4) The approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that a copy of the
emergency and evacuation floor plan and instructions are displayed in a prominent position
near each exit at the education and care service premises, including a family day care
residence and approved family day care venue.
Penalty: $2000.
Note: A compliance direction may be issued for failure to comply with sub regulation (2), (3) or (4).
Education and Care Services National Regulations, 2011
Workplace safety inspections must be conducted on a regular basis to ensure ease of exit in the event
of an emergency. The following actions must be taken to ensure that:
 Corridors, aisles and walkways remain clear of obstructions
 Exit doors remain clear and unlocked whilst the premises are occupied
 Excess quantities of combustible materials are not permitted to accumulate anywhere on the
premises
 There is not an accumulation of paper, litter or other debris which may increase the danger of
fire
 Fire equipment is kept clear of obstruction (1 m2 space around equipment)
Early Learning Centre – Policy & Procedures – ix
Management needs
1
St Paul’s Early Learning Centre
Cnr Trower Rd & Francis Street, Nightcliff NT 0810
P O Box 40344, Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8948 5362 or (08) 8985 1911 Fax: (08) 8948 0227
Email: admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au
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The public address system is in working order
Fire and smoke doors are kept shut except during use; self-closing mechanisms are in
operational order; doors close automatically and are not being held open with wedges or
chocks.
Fire stairs are kept clear at all times and are not used for storage
Catholic Education NT
Strategies for Policy Implementation
Emergency evacuation and lock down/out procedures will be practised outside of school hours in both
OSHC and ELC each term.
Emergency Evacuation (Fire, bomb, gas)
Rooms 14 &13
To assemble on the verandah and then use the stairs at the western (Church) end (Room 14
first) and make their way to their designated position in the undercover area of the hard court
on the main oval
Rooms 11 &12
To assemble on the verandah and then use the stairs at the eastern end (office), Room 11 first,
and make their way to their designated position in the undercover area of the hard court on
the main oval. Teacher from Room 11 to check Room 18 and toilets on the way out if no
specialist classes are using the room that day.
Rooms 9 &10
Assemble on the verandah and move to the evacuation area using the western exit (closest to
Church, Room 10 first). Teacher in Room 10 to check Sports Shed on way to evacuation
area.
Rooms 1-5
Assemble outside classrooms and move to the evacuation area.
Library:
Any children in the library at the time of the evacuation will be be taken by the class teacher
to the evacuation area.
Office Staff:
To check sick room and offices. Take computer discs and Master Roll. Also contact
emergency services.
Room 18
Any classes or persons in this room at the time of an evacuation will check the office and
toilets on their way to the designated evacuation area and report to the Fire Warden (Julia).
Early Learning Centre – Policy & Procedures – ix
Rooms 8
Assemble on the verandah and move to the evacuation area using the eastern exit (closest to
office).
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St Paul’s Early Learning Centre
Cnr Trower Rd & Francis Street, Nightcliff NT 0810
P O Box 40344, Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8948 5362 or (08) 8985 1911 Fax: (08) 8948 0227
Email: admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au
Teachers must take their roll books (if not sent to office) and make a roll call when assembled on the
oval and report to Fire Warden. Children must sit quietly.
Children must not take cases, bags etc with them.
Early Learning Centre
All ELC staff are to gather children and go to their designated place in the undercover area of
the hard court on the main oval and report to Fire Warden (Office Administrator). This
applies during school times – outside of school hours use designated area and report to
Certified Supervisor in day-day charge.
Outside School Hours Care
All OSHC staff are to gather children and go to their designated place in the undercover area
of the hard court on the main oval and report to Fire Warden (Office Administrator). This
applies during school times – outside of school hours use designated area and report to
Certified Supervisor in day-day charge.
Please Note:
Bomb threat or fire will be consistent ringing of the bell. (For security / safety / panic reasons the
type of threat will not be announced over the PA.
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Emergency Evacuation Procedures, 2009
Lock down/out
Lock Down/Lock Out is to ensure that all students, staff, parents and visitors remain in a safe
and secure location in the event of a possible personal/school threat and that the exposure to
danger and possible risk of harm are minimised. A lock down/out will occur in serious
situations. Some examples include: fire, gas leak, intruders and/or weapons, serious accident
(death), damage to buildings, explosions, dangerous animal or chemical spills.
1. Staff are to contact the front office immediately if they see something suspicious. If you are in
a classroom when you see something use internal phone to contact Administration office. If
you cannot get through to admin, notify neighbouring classes & instigate the lockdown
procedure – continue to get in contact with the Administration office.
2. If the disturbance is in the front office use the staffroom to manage the lockdown
3. Front office staff will then inform the presbytery.
4. The lock down alert signal is to be given “Attention Staff – the juggling PD has been
cancelled for today”. This signal will not be sounded continuously.
5. Administration staff is to be near a phone, have a mobile or access to a computer. A list of all
staff members’ extension numbers should also be taken with administration staff. This is so
other staff members are able to contact them to let them know what is happening with the
situation.
Early Learning Centre – Policy & Procedures – ix
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St Paul’s Early Learning Centre
Cnr Trower Rd & Francis Street, Nightcliff NT 0810
P O Box 40344, Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8948 5362 or (08) 8985 1911 Fax: (08) 8948 0227
Email: admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au
6. When in the classroom
All teachers/students are to stay in the classroom. Turn lights off, close windows, lock the
doors, and sit on the ground, stay quiet and out of sight. Teachers should quickly look out
their door and get students into classroom (even if not in your class) – but ensure their teacher
is notified.
7. Student & teachers in other areas during class time or before school
Move to the Integrated Learning Centre immediately, lock the doors, turn lights off, close
windows sit on the ground, stay quiet & out of sight.
8. Recess or Lunch or Outside School Hours Care
All students & teachers are to move to the closest room with a lockable door. Lock the doors,
close the windows, and turn lights off, sit on the ground, stay quiet and out of sight.
9. Teacher’s need to take a list of all students\teachers and anyone else in the room, this list then
needs to be relayed to front office. If there is anyone missing report back to admin either via
mobile or internal phone.
10. Staff and Students is to stay in lock down until the all clear is given by the person in charge
e.g. Police, Principal or Chief Warden.
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Lock Down/Out Procedure, 2012.
Cyclone Procedures
Cyclone advice is broadcast on all radio stations by the Bureau of Meteorology well in advance of a
cyclone’s arrival. ABC Darwin is the lead station. Early notices are referred to as Cyclone Watches
and as the chances of it hitting increase, it will be upgraded to a Cyclone Warning.
St Paul’s School will follow the advice on the radio. We will not decide to close the school ourselves.
In the event of Darwin being placed on a Cyclone Warning overnight, follow the advice on the radio.
The cyclone update information number is 1300 659 211.
Parents:
 are free to pick up their children (if they are concerned) before an official cyclone school
closure has been announced
 unable to pick up children themselves should advise who will do so
 should not ring the school to ask about school closure
Students:
 the safety of the students is paramount
 may not leave the classroom unless accompanied by an adult
 must be collected from school by parents or caregiver and this must be documented
Early Learning Centre – Policy & Procedures – ix
If and when conditions deteriorate after the ‘cyclone warning’ school closures will be announced on
radio and TV. If no deterioration school closure will not occur.
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St Paul’s Early Learning Centre
Cnr Trower Rd & Francis Street, Nightcliff NT 0810
P O Box 40344, Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8948 5362 or (08) 8985 1911 Fax: (08) 8948 0227
Email: admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au
In the event of school closure in school time:
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Any staff member with children needing to be collected will be permitted to leave and another
non class teacher e.g. Special Needs, Deputy Principal, Librarian, will be responsible for that
class.
No child will be dismissed from the office. They must be collected from the classroom.
Each class will be given a class list to keep a record of who has been collected, by whom and
when. Children who were absent from school must be marked absent on this page.
Office staff will notify classrooms of any phone calls giving special instructions, eg Mr X
rang and gave permission for children to go with Mrs Y. Students cannot just go with a
neighbour or friend without parental approval.
Students still remaining an hour after the official notification will be gathered into a central
point (ILC Building) where senior staff will supervise them and begin to phone parents.
Students whose parents cannot be contacted after 2 hours will be taken to the nearest cyclone
shelter by the Principal or senior staff member. (Our Nearest Shelter is Nightcliff High
School)
Teaching staff may leave as soon as their students have gone or have been handed over to
senior staff. Class lists must be left with the supervising staff to ensure that everyone is
accounted for.
Non-teaching staff will be allowed to leave when the school is properly organised and after
reporting to the Principal.
All Staff must record their time of departure on the special list at the Office.
In the event of school closure Outside School Hours:
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Any staff member with children needing to be collected will be permitted to leave and another
non class teacher e.g. Special Needs, Deputy Principal, Librarian, will be responsible for that
class.
No child will be dismissed from the office. They must be collected from the classroom.
Each class will be given a class list to keep a record of who has been collected, by whom and
when. Children who were absent from school must be marked absent on this page.
Office staff will notify classrooms of any phone calls giving special instructions, eg Mr X
rang and gave permission for children to go with Mrs Y. Students cannot just go with a
neighbour or friend without parental approval.
Students still remaining an hour after the official notification will be gathered into a central
point (ILC Building) where senior staff will supervise them and begin to phone parents.
Students whose parents cannot be contacted after 2 hours will be taken to the nearest cyclone
shelter by the Principal or senior staff member. (Our Nearest Shelter is Nightcliff High
School)
Teaching staff may leave as soon as their students have gone or have been handed over to
senior staff. Class lists must be left with the supervising staff to ensure that everyone is
accounted for.
Non-teaching staff will be allowed to leave when the school is properly organised and after
reporting to the Principal.
All Staff must record their time of departure on the special list at the Office.
Early Learning Centre – Policy & Procedures – ix
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5
St Paul’s Early Learning Centre
Cnr Trower Rd & Francis Street, Nightcliff NT 0810
P O Box 40344, Casuarina NT 0811
Phone: (08) 8948 5362 or (08) 8985 1911 Fax: (08) 8948 0227
Email: admin.stpauls@nt.catholic.edu.au
Rooms
 Windows should be taped and resources, especially AV and IT equipment, unplugged and
moved to safe areas eg. in cupboards, compactus in withdrawal room. Desks on wet side area
of classroom.
Yard
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Bins- class bins emptied of food and put inside classrooms. Other bins emptied of food and
put in P.E. room.
Seats – turn upside down in wet areas
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School Cyclone Procedures, 2010
Links to National Quality Framework
Quality Area 2: Children’s Health and Safety, Element 4.1, Element 4.1.1, Element7.2.1, Element
7.3.2, Element 7.3.3, Element7.3.5
Sources
Catholic Education NT: Health, Safety and Wellbeing, 2009, Emergency and Evacuation, OHS 7
Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority, October 2011, Guide to the National Quality
Standard
Guide to the National Quality Standard, 2011
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, 2010, Cyclone Procedures
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, 2009, Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Version
Policy 3 – OSHC
Emergency Plan
Policy 3 – OSHC
Emergency Plan
Policy ix. v1
Action
Date
Witnessed
Policy implemented
November 2010
Kelly Smith & Buffy Angel
Reviewed as a result of Cyclone
Carlos
Major changes, endorsed by School
Board
February 2011
Kelly Smith & Buffy Angel
October 2012
Louise Waterwoth & School
Board
Early Learning Centre – Policy & Procedures – ix
St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, 2012, Lock Down/Out Procedure
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