QLD:Cyclone forces 300 schools to close

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2011
QLD:Cyclone forces 300 schools to close

BRISBANE, Feb 1 AAP - About 300 schools in Queensland's far north, north and central
regions will be closed from Wednesday as severe tropical cyclone Yasi approaches.

Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said the safety of students and school
staff was the top priority.

"The decision to close schools and TAFEs in the far north Queensland, north Queensland
and central regions was made on the advice of individual local disaster management groups
and the state disaster management group," Mr Wilson said.

"At this stage schools in the far north Queensland region will be closed from Wednesday
until Friday.

"Schools in the north Queensland and central regions (north of Sarina) will be closed
for at least tomorrow."

Once the threat of Cyclone Yasi has passed, an assessment will be made on a case-by-case
basis when each school can safely reopen, he said.

A full list of closures at State, Catholic and Independent schools and TAFEs can be
found at www.deta.qld.gov.au

The list will be continually updated as new information about Cyclone Yasi becomes available.

Mr Wilson said staff, students, parents and carers should visit the website and listen
to the radio for regular updates.

A number of island schools including Bwgcolman Community School on Palm Island, Magnetic
Island State School and Hamilton Island State School have already closed.

James Cook University said it would close all its campuses and teaching sites in north
Queensland until after Friday.

Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Andrew Vann, said the decision was taken in the interests
of staff and students' safety.

Sites to be closed include the Cairns and Townsville campuses, Mackay, Mt Isa, Thursday
Island and other research and teaching sites in the expected impact area of Cyclone Yasi.

"We will attempt to keep people up to date with what is happening through our website,
emails and the media," Prof Vann said.

AAP tnf/jl

KEYWORD: YASI SCHOOLS

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