New Plymouth Boys' High School closed early today after an unstable chemical was found in a science laboratory, prompting a response from the New Zealand Defence Force bomb disposal unit.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews were first called to the school just after 9am to assess the situation. A spokesperson said crews didn't take direct action but stood by at the scene until military experts arrived.
In a letter to parents and guardians, Headmaster Sam Moore assured the community that all staff and students were safe. He confirmed the school was initially partially evacuated as a precaution before the Board of Trustees made the call to close entirely at 12pm.
In the letter, Moore said, "We are unable to run normal classes due to the NZ Defence Force having to travel from out of town to remove the chemical safely." He added that student safety remained the primary focus.
Those who couldn't immediately return home were supervised on campus until the usual 3:10 pm bell, while the school's hostel boarders remained on site.
The incident also caused temporary disruption on one of New Plymouth's main arteries. NZTA closed the section of State Highway 3 running directly past the school grounds during the emergency response.
