Typhoon & Rainstorm Warning

In general, the following arrangements will apply at GSIS:

The rainstorm warning system introduced in June 1992 and revised in April 2003 operates independently of other weather warnings, including tropical cyclone warning signals.

In general, the following arrangements will apply at GSIS:

The first stage, amber, is mainly meant to alert Government departments. In the event of heavy persistent rain affecting Hong Kong, the red or black alert will be issued and broadcast to the public over the radio, television, mobile APP (GovHK Notifications) or Hong Kong Observatory website (http://www.hko.gov.hk). The following arrangements will apply, and appropriate public announcements will be made:

* please make sure to read the general notes, summary and action to be taken below.

If schools are not in session when a tropical cyclone or periods of heavy rain are likely to affect Hong Kong, the Secretary for Education and Manpower will, if the circumstances warrant it, make an announcement over the radio, television, mobile APP (GovHK Notifications) or Hong Kong Observatory website (http://www.hko.gov.hk) advising parents whether or not to send their child to school. The announcement will be made, whenever possible, before children set out from home. The first announcement in the morning will be no later than 6:15 am. The announcement will be repeated at regular and frequent intervals.

In any case, our school premises will be open and there will be enough teachers at GSIS to look after those pupils who have turned up despite the closure of schools/kindergartens as announced by the Education and Manpower Bureau. Adequate arrangements will be made for them to return home at an appropriate time.

If schools are in session, and the Secretary for Education and Manpower is advised that the situation is likely to deteriorate rapidly he will make a public announcement over radio, television, mobile APP (GovHK Notifications) or Hong Kong Observatory website (http://www.hko.gov.hk), advising the immediate suspension of classes, in which case we shall do our utmost to make sure that adequate arrangements are made for pupils to return home.

However, the announcement of closure while schools are in session does not automatically mean that all pupils will be sent home immediately; pupils will be kept at GSIS until they can be released to return home safely. Ideally, the school buses will be operating normally however, if not, parents will be informed by the school when to expect their children home.

When the lowering of tropical cyclone or rainstorm warning signals enables the school to resume the following session, an announcement will be made by the Secretary for Education and Manpower. Please follow the announcements on the GSIS website for further details.

Please note that children will, of course, not be penalised for not coming to school or for being late under these exceptional circumstances.

In exceptional circumstances, the Secretary for Education and Manpower may announce the closure of schools or the suspension of classes in one or more districts. GSIS pupils living in such districts need not attend classes in such cases.

If local weather, road, slope or transport conditions warrant the closure of GSIS and an announcement has not been made by the Secretary for Education and Manpower to close schools generally, GSIS will request the Education and Manpower Bureau to arrange a special announcement to be made. The announcement will be made, whenever possible, before pupils set out for school. Again, the school will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of pupils who may have missed the announcement and come to school.

There may be special regulations for students taking official examinations (DIAP/I/GCSE/IB-Diploma). In this case, it may be necessary to telephone the school for information. Alternatively, the school may try to contact the families or students in question.

Please remember the following key points:

• The hoisting of the No 3 Signal means that the Kindergarten of GSIS will close. It will remain closed if the signal is lowered to No 3 after the hoisting of No 8.
• As to the rest of the school, GSIS will, in principle, follow Government announcements on whether or not to operate, which means that GSIS will not be specifically mentioned during those announcements. If the Government announces the closure of all schools, this will in all cases apply to GSIS as well.
• Students taking public examinations may be asked to come to school, even though GSIS is officially closed. In such a case, they will be notified individually.
• If the RED or BLACK rainstorm warning is in force, the school will close.
• If, according to Government announcements, schools continue operating as normal or resume classes after initial closure, but GSIS has to take a different course of action for whatever reason, parents will be notified by SMS.
• Please do not call GSIS unless there is a genuine emergency since it is vitally important that our communication lines remain open.
• Through common sense, understanding and cooperation, both parents and GSIS can work together to handle such unpredictable events.

Thank you very much for your attention.

For a detailed weather report, maps and more, click on the link below:

Hong Kong Observatory