Goulburn High School evacuated after bomb threat

The school was one of several across the state, including Bowral High and Moss Vale Public to receive the call at the same time.

Police said the main office received an automated message at 11.10am, saying there was a bomb on the premises.

“The school followed protocol, evacuated students and we checked the school,” Inspector John Sheehan said.

Police blocked off surrounding streets while some 650 students were evacuated to nearby Prell Oval.

Following a search, officers deemed the call a hoax. Students were allowed to return to class 30 minutes later.

Inspector Sheehan said the criminal investigation team had taken over and would liaise with an already established taskforce probing the calls.

School principal Peter Browne said his staff and students handled the situation well.

“All staff had been briefed on dealing with inappropriate phone calls, whether hoaxes or not,” he said.

“Because of the threats in other schools, the Department had issued very clear instructions.”

Mr Browne said staff ascertained it was a recorded message; when they asked questions the recording kept going.

The principal said students were well practised in evacuation drills, and while some were asking questions yesterday, most were fine and reassured by staff.

“It’s not a pleasant situation but if you’re well prepared, you can reduce the stress and complexity.”

Theodore Public, Neville Bonner Public and Forrest Public Schools in the ACT also received threatening calls yesterday.

Last week, Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas said there was no evidence they were anything other than hoaxes designed to cause “unnecessary disruption and inconvenience.”

“The threats appear to come from overseas with no credible evidence they could be carried out here,” he said.

NSW Police are working with the Department of Education to ensure school communities are informed of all necessary information for parents of affected schools.