April Fools' Day prank fails to amuse
Parents and police are not impressed after an April Fools' Day prank caused major disruption to classes at a Sydney high school.
An official text message advised around 1400 parents Castle Hill High School, which professes the motto "truth is strength", had been damaged by fire and was closed for the day.
"Feeling so SAD. It just makes me so angry only the hall was spared," one parent wrote online.
It appears someone had actually hacked into the school's IT system.
A spokesman for the NSW Department of Education and Communities said the parents contacted had nominated their personal details in case of emergency.
"The information [in the text and email] was completely incorrect," the spokesman said.
"As soon as we became aware, the correct information that the school was open was sent to those who had received the initial SMS or email, and the school's website has been changed to reflect the information, as has the school's notice board out on the street.
"The school, along with the department, will be investigating how this occurred. It will be reported to the police because there is a question of data security there.
"It may have only been an April Fools' Day prank, but we want to make sure that data is secure, that no other data has been accessed and obviously work to strengthen the system so it doesn't occur again."
The principal followed the text up with an email, saying it was business as usual at the school.
"It's really worrying that people would go to those lengths and pull that prank on the whole school," student Emily Stuart said.
The Department of Education is investigating the prank.
"Disadvantaging and distressing parents and students is something we obviously don't want," the spokesman said.
"We will be working with the police on this and obviously if we find out who is responsible and it is a member of the school community, we will be taking disciplinary action against them. Obviously if the police find criminal activity involved, they will take the action that is appropriate."
