“We ask parents and caregivers to please not come to the school site. All students are currently safe and we will update you with information as soon as possible.”
People were being turned away from the car park while Shore St was blocked off by police.
However, police said around mid-morning that “nothing of concern has been located” and the lockdown was lifted.
“Some police staff will remain in the area this morning to provide reassurance to the school and local community,” a spokesperson said.
A group of year 11 pupils said they were due to take an NCEA Science exam this morning but had been turned away.
A mother of a pupil, who did not want to be named, said her son was at the school though she had not been in contact with him throughout the lockdown.
“I would call but I know they don’t like you to call,” she said.
“Also, I assume they may have removed their phones as they were going to be having an exam.
“I haven’t heard anything from the school at all. I heard via Facebook messenger from a friend before I saw the school Facebook post.
“It’s a bit disappointing really. I would have expected perhaps a mass automated text message to family from the school first. The media know more than us parents.”
She said after the lockdown was lifted, her son chose not to sit exam because of stress.
“Not happy with whomever sent that email, now he has to resit next year,” she said.
Another parent, Nicole Botting said her daughter called her following the lockdown to let her know she was safe.
“Definitely been a bit of a stressful morning. She was meant to be in an exam,” she said.
“The school did really well in keeping the kids safe. But not so good in letting parents know there was a situation happening.”
- Additional reporting Otago Daily Times
