By ANEEKA SIMONIS
PAKENHAM Lakeside Primary School was put into lockdown on Tuesday (23 February) following a threatening phone call directed at the school during the latest series of hoaxes.
The midday call forced the school into immediate lockdown for several hours, as police swept the primary school.
Principal Gary Norbury assured parents the hoax call was taken seriously by the school, which immediately activated its emergency management plan and contacted police.
“The safety and well-being of our children and all members of our school community is always our highest property,” he wrote in a notification sent to parents.
“Staff and students immediately went into the lockdown situation until we received the all-clear from the police to resume our day.
“Police continued to have a presence in the area until the conclusion of the school day.”
Pakenham Spring Primary School was also forced into evacuation following a similar phone call made to the school on Thursday 11 February.
Kooweerup Primary School, St Patricks Primary School, Berwick Lodge Primary School and Berwick Chase Primary School were also targeted in the series of hoax calls made nationwide.
“It appears to be a series of hoax calls similar to recent incidents, designed to cause disruption and attract media attention,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppers.com.au
