Police have launched an investigation into the origins of threatening emails, which disrupted more than 20 Sydney high schools today.
Students, teachers and staff from the schools were evacuated, and police conducted searches of the schools grounds, but say "no items of interest were found".
"Unfortunately we've had more than 20 schools across Sydney impacted by the emails that were threatening bombs," Education Minister Sarah Mitchell confirmed to the ABC.
Police said initial inquiries "suggest the threats are linked" and detectives from the cybercrime squad will lead the investigation into tracking down the source of the emails.
It also interrupted some students who were sitting their Higher School Certificate exams.
"Obviously that's incredibly distressing for any students who were impacted," Ms Mitchell said.
"They will be able to apply to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for misadventure provisions, taking into account the fact that there may have been disruption to their exams," she said.
"It's a very serious matter and there are very serious penalties for those sort of threats, and police will investigate thoroughly."
A spokesperson for NESA said the body was working with the school sectors to understand the impact of today's events on both morning and afternoon HSC exams.
"No student will have to resit an exam," Ms Mitchell said.
