Road Safety

Dear Parents/Caregivers

It was with much sadness that I read of a small child being run over outside Cannons Creek School on Friday. It felt all the  more poignant having just taken all of our beautiful 350 children around the corner from that very spot last term for the Production.

I am really concerned about the behaviour of some of our parents and caregivers at our school gate. I cannot bear to imagine what it would be like for our children and parents to witness the death of a pupil at Papakowhai School. I really need your help.

Road safety was the number one issue that people in our recent consultation wanted the Board of Trustees to focus on. This is not just a School Board, or council or staff issue, this is an issue we can all help with.

There will be a staff member on patrol Mondays  – Fridays, 8:30 - 9am and 3:00 - 3:15. You will see them wearing a high visibility vest.

This is what I need your help with:

• DRIVE SLOWLY
• Be patient with other drivers, staff members and council workers
• Encourage walking to school
• Be a Walking School Bus driver ( See over for details)
• If you are dropping off children aged 7 years and older - avoid Spey Place altogether
• If you do come into Spey Place respect the Council’s orange lines and no stopping areas
• Turn in the turning circle of Spey Place rather than backing into driveways
• Respect that the staff carpark is for staff vehicles and deliveries only between 8:30am and 3:15pm.
• Walk your child across the road rather than calling to them while seated in your vehicle
• Encourage your children to walk around the cul-de-sac rather than crossing Spey Place
• If your children are crossing Tweed Road encourage them to do so at the bus stop by the dairy
• Make use of all entry points to the school (Cromarty Place and Yarrow Place)
• Try coming to school a little earlier, rather than being in the 8:50am rush
• Try picking up older children at 3:10 rather than sitting and waiting in vehicles from 2:30pm.