Keeping Students Safe: Important Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminders
It has been wonderful to see students settling into the routines of Term 1 with enthusiasm and joy. Classrooms are buzzing with curiosity and deep learning, friendships are flourishing, and we have already enjoyed some fantastic events that showcase the vibrant life of our college community. From engaging lessons to special assemblies, swimming carnivals and international visitors, it’s been a fantastic start to the year, and we are excited for all that is to come.
As we embrace the busyness of college life, I want to take a moment to address an important matter—the safety of our students and families during drop-off and pick-up times.
Our college community is built on values of care, respect and responsibility. These values must extend beyond the classroom and into the car park and surrounding streets—especially during peak times.
I understand that these moments can be stressful. We all have places to be, schedules to keep, and sometimes, very little patience left at the end of the day. However, the way we navigate our college car park directly impacts the safety of our students, the wellbeing of other families, and the efficiency of our entire college community.
Recently, we have seen an increase in double parking, cars blocking others in, and drivers creating unofficial pickup zones, leading to congestion, frustration and most alarmingly, serious safety risks. In one instance, a child was nearly hit because a driver’s view was obstructed by backed-up traffic. This is a sobering reminder that, in the rush to get in and out quickly, we may be putting our most precious cargo—our children—at risk.
How Can We Work Together for a Safer Environment?
I ask all parents to follow these simple but essential guidelines:
Use designated parking spaces
Double parking and leaving your car unattended disrupts traffic flow and can trap other cars in.
Keep the bends and exits clear
Parking in these areas makes turning hazardous and could prevent emergency vehicles from accessing the school.
Be patient and follow traffic rules
Unofficial pickup lanes may seem like a time-saver, but they create dangerous blind spots and lead to congestion that affects the entire community.
Be extra vigilant for children
Children can be unpredictable near roads. Always check your surroundings and drive cautiously.
At its heart, this is about more than just convenience—it’s about ensuring that every child arrives and leaves school safely. Let’s set an example for our children by showing patience, kindness, and consideration for others.
No Right Hand Turn
This week, police were also in the area enforcing road rules, including issuing fines for illegal right-hand turns into the Junior School drop-off zone. Please remember that turning right from Central Avenue into the drop-off area is not permitted.
This helps to ease traffic congestion and ensure a safer, more efficient drop-off process for everyone.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our college community safe.
God bless,
Mrs Naomi Wilkins
Principal
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Colossians 3:23-24
