File photo. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Teachers at Cambridge schools will debrief students this afternoon, after a youth with a BB gun sparked a police hunt this morning.
At least three schools in the Waikato town spent an hour in lockdown at the request of police, until the person was found. And the principal of one of the schools has praised his students for getting to their class calmly when the lockdown bell rang.
Cambridge Middle School principal Daryl Gibbs said he spoke to the students after the emergency was over.
"We asked the teachers to bring them straight to the hall. We just had a very quick debrief where we ... thanked them all for following the instructions and doing what they were meant to do and doing such a good job, and being really responsible and mature about it all and taking it seriously.
Gibbs said it was the second lockdown in recent months, after the school received phone threats in July.
Cambridge High School cancelled its mock exams for the afternoon and has advised parents it will hold an assembly to talk to students.
Cambridge Middle School has also advised parents it will hold a special assembly.
Earlier today, police responded to Swayne Road in the Waikato town after a report was received about 10.40am of a man with a weapon.
Police asked Cambridge High School and other nearby schools and early childhood centres to keep their students inside while officers attended and worked to locate the male.
"We have just been advised by the police that the lockdown has now been lifted and students have been released from their classrooms for a short break," Cambridge High School said in a social media post.
"We will then have an assembly for year 9 and 10 students to explain the situation and reassure them of their safety. Students will return to class for P4 and 5. Our Counsellors will be available if students wish to seek support."
Cambridge Middle School said it was advised to go into lockdown by the police "because of an incident at a neighbouring school".
Police said they would not make any further comment on the incident.