Children were being kept inside their classrooms today as part of precautionary school lock-downs during the siege by a terrorist in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
With the gunman holding an unconfirmed number of people hostage inside the Lindt café at Martin Place, schools were advised to take extra measures to ensure student safety.
As well as keeping children inside, end-of-year excursions were cancelled.
A message sent to parents at Bondi Public School read, “Due to the current hostage situation in the CBD the DEC Safety and Security Directorate have advised schools to go into LOCKOUT mode. This is a precautionary measure only and I ask parents not to be alarmed.”
Children were told it was too hot to go outside at lunchtime. At other schools, they were given limited information about the incident, which began at about 9.45am when the gunman entered the café.
There have been major closures throughout the CBD – including the cordoning off of Martin Place, emptying of surrounding buildings and evacuation of the Opera House – with many workers advised to stay in their office buildings until mid-afternoon.
Emergency services have surrounded the site.
Worried parents inundated schools and childcare centres with calls about the siege but were assured they were following recommended protocols.
For information about the incident, a hotline has been set up 1800 227 228.
