The NSW Department of Education has cordoned off an area at a Hunter high school after finding asbestos on school grounds.
Parents and staff were notified on Thursday September 10 that materials containing asbestos had been identified in the soil between buildings K and L at Newcastle High School.
Several fragments of material suspected to contain asbestos were found on Tuesday, September 8.
As a precaution, the Department of Education isolated the area and engaged an independent hygienist to collect a sample for testing.
A works notification sent to the school community from the Department of Education said testing confirmed the material contained bonded asbestos.
That meant it was attached to other material such as cement or vinyl that cannot be crumbled by light pressure.
The works notification stated that a specialised contractor would remove the material containing asbestos outside of school hours on Saturday September 12.
An independent hygienist was scheduled to inspect the area after the removal and provide a clearance certificate if it was safe to be reopened.
The works notification said the area of the school was known to contained bonded asbestos, and was listed in the school's asbestos management plan.
"Asbestos was used widely in Australian building materials before 1990," the works notification said.
"We manage the presence of asbestos in NSW Public schools by maintaining the asbestos management plan for each school," it said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the specialised contractor was removing a small amount of material from the soil.
"The health, safety and wellbeing of all members of the school and local community are the Department's highest priority," they said.
