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Extreme Weather Procedures

Tropical Cyclones
Here we have information on weather warnings and school procedures. Details of any weather warnings which occur during school hours will be posted in the Gateway Bulletin.
1. Signal 8 Before School

If a signal 8 is hoisted before school begins, the Director of Education (responsible for all HK Schools) will announce through the media, usually from 6.15am, that all schools are closed. In this case SJS buses will not operate and all students are expected to remain at home.
If weather is bad please tune into the following radio stations, television stations or web site so that you can receive up to date information.

Radio Stations
English
RTHK Radio 3 - 567kHz, 1585kHz, 97.9 mHz
RTHK Radio 4 - 97.6 to 989 mHz
Chinese
Metro Plus 1044 kHz AM

TV Stations
English - VB Pearl, ATV World
Chinese - TVB Jade, ATV Home, Cable News station #9

Web Site
HK Observatory http://www.info.gov.hk/hko

2. Signal 8 During School
If a signal 8 is hoisted during the school day, the school has to close, and the children have to be sent home "when it is safe to do so."
In this case if the closure is during an afternoon session, we will follow the usual daily procedures as far as possible.

  • Please do not telephone school.
  • Please do not come earlier than usual.
  • Please do check the school web site, http://www.sjs.edu.hk.

If there is any change of procedure we will contact you through our link parent system. Assume that it is "business as usual", unless you are told otherwise.
If the Signal 8 closure occurs during a morning session, we have no choice but to close early. In this case all the above points still apply, but:-

  • Our link parents will contact the parent of each class to tell you what's happening as will our web site.
  • We will not send any students home early, without first ensuring that parents are informed and are able to receive them.

Tropical Cyclones

Hoisting of No.1 Signal
All kindergartens and schools will operate as normal.

Hoisting of No.3 Signal
All Kindergarten will close. Other schools will operate as normal unless otherwise stated.

Hoisting of No. 8 Signal
All Schools will close

Lowering of No.3 Signal
All Schools to resume from the following sessions. Kindergartens to remain closed.

Lowering of No.1 Signal
All Kindergartens and schools will resume from the following sessions.

Heavy Persistent Rain and Thunderstorms

Green Alert
Indicates that significant rain is likely to affect Hong Kong within the next 12 hours. No action is needed from the public.

Amber Alert

Indicates that 50mm of rain or more is expected over Hong Kong during the next 6 hours or so. No action required from public.

Red Alert
Indicates that 50mm of rainfall has been recorded generally over Hong Kong during any 1 hour period or less. Further heavy rain could cause widespread road flooding and traffic congestion. Pupils will be advised to stay at home or remain in school until it is safe for them to return home.

Black Alert
Indicates that more than 100mm of rain has fallen in the past two hours or less. Because of widespread road flooding and serious traffic congestion, residents will be advised to stay at home or take shelter in a safe place until the rainstorm has passed and road conditions have improved.