Flaxmere Primary School ends year early after police shoot man on grounds

Police and parent comforting student following lockdown at Flaxmere Primary school. Photo / Warren Buckland

Flaxmere Primary School has made the decision to end its school year early after police shot a man on school grounds on Tuesday.

The school met at 8.30am to sing hymns and say a karakia for those who chose to attend.

Following this children were able to collect belongings they had to leave at the school yesterday and were then dismissed at 9.15am.

The school year was originally meant to finish on Thursday.

The lockdown occured yesterday around 2.15pm after a man was shot by police after allegedly threatening a staff member.

Teachers and children hid in locked classrooms until they were escorted out one class at a time by their school principal.

Ministry of Education spokesperson Katrina Casey said: "Yesterday's events at Flaxmere School highlighted how important it is for schools to be prepared for emergency situations and the school did a good job in ensuring all their children were kept safe," .

The Ministry of Education had a traumatic Incident team visiting the school today.

The team will be helping the school develop processes for dealing with the incident, provide advise on how to talk about the event and help the school understand the emotional and psychological impact a traumatic event can have.

The traumatic Incidents team will be staying as long as needed, Casey said.