Dear parents and carers
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is predicted to produce significant rain, strong winds and flash flooding in our community. This weather is expected to continue over the coming days.
I am writing to inform you that Helensvale State High School will be closed tomorrow, Thursday 6 March and Friday 7 March due to safety concerns and transport networks not operating.
Please keep your child at home on Thursday and Friday.
As part of our disaster management protocol, we follow the advice of the Department of Education, who in turn follow the advice of emergency services. We always act in the interests of the safety of students, staff and the wider community. This decision is based on an assessment of the current conditions and risks associated with movement in and around our community.
We will continue to provide updates and information to our families via our website, Facebook page, email and text message regarding arrangements for Monday 10 March, where possible. Disruptions to telecommunications may affect these communication channels.
Student absences
Absences due to emergencies and natural disasters and when a school is closed, will not be recorded on a student's report card.
School re-opening
I will continue to liaise with the Department of Education and emergency services and I will keep you informed of any developments, including when we expect our school to re-open.
Up-to-date information on school closures is available from closures.qld.edu.au. Early childhood service closures are available on the service and temporary closure information website.
Monitoring the situation
Please continue to listen to our local ABC Radio service and monitor emergency services' social media accounts for updates and advice. Information about current weather conditions can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology website at http://www.bom.gov.au/. If you need immediate help, call Triple Zero (000) and remember, if it's flooded, forget it.
It is incredibly important that you take time to look after yourselves and your families. I encourage you to access the information available for parents and students to support health and wellbeing during these difficult circumstances.
Thank you for your ongoing support and I hope that the impact of this event on our school community will be minimal.
Kind regards
Karen Lindsay
Executive Principal
Helensvale State High School