Three Cranbourne East schools evacuated after allegedly receiving bomb threats
Three Cranbourne East schools have resumed classes after being evacuated over a bomb threat that left students “terrified” and thinking it was just a drill.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE: Three Cranbourne East schools have resumed classes today after being evacuated after a bomb scare.
Marnebek School, Cranbourne East Secondary College and Casey Grammar School students were moved to Casey Stadium yesterday just before 2pm due to what Leader understands was a bomb threat.
Parents of Marnebek School students were sent a text message saying “due to a police operation”, and at the request of police, “we have evacuated students from both campuses to the Casey Basketball Stadium. Staff and students were expected to be off site for a number of hours.”
Via the message, Marnebek School principal Jennifer Hamilton asked parents to collect students from Casey Basketball Stadium, via New Holland Drive.
“It would be helpful if you can bring some identification so that we can run an orderly process to release students and mark off our roll,” the message said.
“We have previously rehearsed these procedures. Your children will be safe and well supervised until you are able to collect them.”
Dozens of parents waiting to pick up their children after schools were evacuated this afternoon due to a suspected bomb threat at three Cranbourne East schools. Students say the threat caused a frenzy and confusion amongst them. @theheraldsun @LeaderOnline pic.twitter.com/VPMLuYdJaL
— Suzan Delibasic (@suzandelibasic) September 9, 2019
Hundreds of parents went to the stadium to pick up children.
Parent Mark Woodhouse said he got a text message at 1.40pm telling him Cranbourne East Secondary College had been evacuated.
“It’s pretty concerning. We heard a few other schools had also been evacuated because of the bomb threat. I’m glad everyone is safe,” Mr Woodhouse said.
MORE: MUTILATED DOG FOUND WITH EARS HACKED OFF
SCHOOL’S DRASTIC MEASURE TO HELP GET KIDS TO SCHOOL
WORST MELBOURNE SUBURBS FOR PETROL DRIVE-OFFS
INSIDE MELBOURNE’S VIOLENT, BRAZEN YOUTH GANGS
Cranbourne East Secondary College Year 11 student Kate said students were sent into a frenzy when they heard it was a bomb threat.
“We thought it was just a drill, but when we arrived to Casey Stadium we realised it was real and it was a bit scary,” she said.
Another Year 11 student Chyro said the whole ordeal “terrified” her.
“It’s really scared a lot of students — we were just so worried because we had no idea what was actually happening,” she said.
An Education Department spokeswoman said the safety of children and students was always its first priority and confirmed the three schools were evacuated.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed a number of schools had been evacuated “as a precaution, while police do safety checks” but declined to comment on the nature of the incident.