Two schools in greater Newcastle have locked down buildings for forensic investigation after vandals caused “significant” damage over the weekend.
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Lake Macquarie High School has closed today, with students offered “minimal supervision”, due to the damage on the school’s campus.
A statement from principal Brendan Maher described the vandalism as “significant criminal damage”. The school’s phone lines are currently down.
“On advice from NSW Police, and due to significant criminal damage over the weekend, Lake Macquarie High School will be operating under minimal supervision today,” Mr Maher said.
“As more details are available I will update the school community.”
Police are planning to undertake a forensic investigation at the school on Monday.
“Forensic services are going to be attending today,” an officer from Charlestown Police said.
“Obviously if something comes out of that, we will proceed accordingly.”
Police are also fingerprinting buildings at Glendore Public School in Maryland.
“Sadly Glendore Public School was the subject of significant unwarranted vandalism over the weekend,” principal Khalil Kay said in a statement released on social media.
“Recovery is well underway, with two classrooms, the library and admin affected.”
A duty officer at Waratah Police Station said police were alerted to a break-in at the school when alarms were triggered at 8pm on Sunday night.
“They’ve locked it down for forensics to do their assessment,” he said.
“They [the vandals] got into three blocks and multiple rooms, where there was damage.”
He said police currently did not know if items had been stolen from the school.
