CALLAGHAN College Jesmond campus principal Roger Macey has told parents that counsellors are available for any students concerned after Monday's threat and evacuation.
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A Department of Education spokesperson said the school's students "undertook a precautionary evacuation to the bini hall" at 10.30am today after the school received a threat.
It is understood students were not allowed to use their phones or access their school bags during this time.
"Police gave the all-clear at the close of school at 2.30pm," the spokesperson said.
"On police advice, parents had been able to collect students from midday."
Parents said they only received an email at 1.40pm advising their children could be picked up.
"All students are safe and well and have been provided with drinking water and have access to toilets," the email said.
"Please contact the student directly if you wish to collect them.
"Students should then advise a staff member who will then escort them for collection."
Principal Mr Macey wrote on the school's Facebook page that the school had received an "anonymous message of a potential threat".
"Students' safety, well-being and support is our highest priority and therefore we immediately actioned our evacuation plan," he wrote.
"Police and emergency services responded immediately and coordinated the school's incident management plan, until police declared the site safe," Mr Macey wrote.
"School contact with the Department of Education and NSW Police was extremely prompt and is ongoing.
"We acknowledge the patience and understanding of all staff and students who worked together in a calm and coordinated manner.
"All scheduled lessons and activities will continue tomorrow according to our usual Tuesday Week B timetable.
"If your children show concern, please remember that school counsellors are available for all students as required."
The department spokesperson said students at neighbouring Heaton Public School were briefly required to stay in class shortly after 11am "as a precaution and before the situation was clear", but this requirement was lifted after three minutes.
A NSW Police spokesperson said inquiries into the incident were continuing.
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
