Yandina State School responds after Sunshine Coast lockdown

A Sunshine Coast state school has defended its delay in notifying parents of a dramatic lockdown with parents angry they found out about it via social media.

Yandina State School response after delay notifying parents of lockdown ending in multiple serious drug charges

A Sunshine Coast state school has defended its delay in notifying parents of a dramatic lockdown prompted by cops hunting for an alleged drug user.

Outraged parents have claimed it is ‘f---ed’ they found out about it via a Facebook post.

Yandina State School was in lockdown for about an hour following a hunt for a man who police say fled a traffic incident and is facing serious drug charges.

A 36-year-old man has been charged with drug offences after Sunshine Coast police intercepted a vehicle in Yandina yesterday, Thursday, February 15.

Yandina State School is in lockdown as a police hunt is underway nearby for a man who did a runner from a traffic incident on Ninderry Rd. Picture: Sam Flanagan

Police were called at about 10.30am following reports of a car allegedly driving dangerously on the Bruce Hwy, near Ninderry Road, Yandina.

Police intercepted the vehicle, however they say the man fled on foot.

After conducting searches of the Yandina area, one man was arrested in bushland after 1.40pm.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman confirmed the man at the centre of the police hunt was found on Thursday.

She said that Yandina State School on School Rd was locked down about 11am.

Parents with students at the school told the Sunshine Coast Daily they didn’t receive a text message notifying them of the lockdown until after 1pm – a full two hours after the school went into lockdown.

The text sent after 1pm to students at Yandina State School. Picture: Contributed.

“There was no immediate danger at the school to any student or staff,” principal Michael Cookman said in the text message to parents.

Outraged parents said they were very upset about being notified only after the incident.

They took to social media, following a news article being posted, to share their anger at finding out about the incident via the news. .

“All we know is that the school is in lockdown and children are locked in their classrooms. We have not been informed by the school we have only seen this article on facebook,” one parent said.

“I’m not happy that the school hasn’t said anything,” another agreed.

“This is an awful way to find out … I have a child at this school as well,” a parent said.

Yandina State School principal Michael Cookman

“What the hell we haven’t been told,” another parent added.

“I have so much anxiety finding out like this,” one said.

“What a f---ked way to find out your kids have been in lockdown,” someone else commented.

However the school maintains they have not received any complaints regarding the incident.

“There is no higher priority for the Department of Education than the safety and wellbeing of students and staff,” a school spokesman said in a statement.

A police presence could be seen on the southbound lanes of the Bruce Hwy near Yandina after a man fled a traffic incident earlier this morning, causing a school to go into lockdown.

“On QPS advice, Yandina State School went into a precautionary lockdown at approximately 10.58am yesterday morning due to a police operation unfolding in the vicinity of the school. At no point was there an unknown person on school grounds.

“Staff acted quickly and calmly to manage the situation in line with the school’s emergency procedures. Students remained in their classrooms and continued with teaching and learning activities and no students or staff were affected.

“On QPS advice, once the situation was completely resolved and classes had resumed as normal parents and carers were informed of the lockdown by the school.

“Support is available at the school for staff and students who may require it.”

Originally published as Yandina State School responds after Sunshine Coast lockdown