Keeping Our Kids Safe - Safe Driving around the College

Sadly, this morning a member of the public reported an incident of ‘road-age’ involving one of our families that could have compromised the safety of our students and the students attending the neighbouring school.

Parents are reminded that the safety of students is paramount, so we all need to be patient, courteous and respectful, and to drive carefully at all times.

As the College has no jurisdiction over traffic management in the streets people should report incidences of dangerous driving to the Police, noting full details of the offending vehicle. Incidences of illegal parking in the streets or on the verge should be reported to the City of Swan.

Healthy young people often experience growing pains as they journey to maturity. Holy Cross College is no different as it journeys to a full enrolment configuration. One of the growing pains is the evolving nature of procedures in regard to student drop-off and pick-up during the day. In 2015, there is approximately 600 students enrolled at the College, of which around one-third are in the Junior School where parents of the very young students are required to park and collect their students from the classroom. Furthermore, the number of staff has increased significantly and more students are driving to school.

Consequently there is considerable demand for parking spaces and pressure at peak times of student movement at the beginning and end of the school day. We must expect to change our habits to accommodate the growth in the College and, especially, to ensure safety for our students

To ensure student safety please consider the points below:

Kiss-n-Drive

• Student drop-off and pick-up will only be permitted in the drive through area in the front car park (see the attached diagram). This is not a parking zone.
• Students must wait in this area until their parents enter the drop-off/pick-up zone before alighting from the car or getting into the car.
• Where students are not present to be picked up parents will be required to immediately drive off and re-join the queue. This will ensure an orderly flow of traffic.
• Do not park and alight from your vehicle in the Kiss and Drive area.
• Do not overtake in the Kiss and Drive area, but wait for the traffic to move forward.

·       General Considerations

• There is considerable street-side parking a short walk from the school. Parents are encouraged to utilise these spaces.
• Where parents have found a parking space or are parked in the surrounding streets students will be permitted to walk to meet their parents.
• Come 10-15 minutes later, once the traffic has eased.
• Do not double park or block driveways.
• Drive slowly.
• Give-way, be alert, be courteous and be patient. 

We take our responsibility for the safety of your children very seriously. All we ask is that you too, take your responsibility for creating a caring, respectful and safe environment very seriously as well.

Peter Collins
Vice Principal