Daily Routines
Punctuality, Attendance & Absence
We like students to be at school by 8.40am so that they can be ready for class at 8.50am and all their unpacking done. We prefer that students are not at school prior to 8.30am. If students are late we appreciate a phone call from you so that we know your child is safe and that the lateness is justified. Phone 684 3706 and leave a message or text 027 460 7149 or 027 311 3806 noting your child's name and reason for absence.
It is important for students to attend school regularly. Because we have your child’s safety as a focus we ask that you let us know if your child is going to be absent, explaining the reason and date you expect your child to return to school. This can be either by note or leaving a message on our answer phone. So that we can be sure that students are not unaccounted for, we contact parents if a student is not at school by 8.50am if we are unaware of the reason. This takes up considerable time each day and slows down our response time so please help us to help you by keeping us well informed.
Riding Cycles to School
Students shall be in Year 5 & 6 before riding a bicycle to school. This expectation arises from concerns over the safety of students. We do not believe younger students can accurately judge the speed of vehicles on the road or react quickly enough on our busy streets and roads.
If a parent chooses to override this school expectation then the school requires a letter from parents acknowledging total responsibility for the child’s safety.
All students shall wear safety helmets when riding to and from school.
We recommend that students riding scooters to school also wear helmets.
It is illegal to ride a bike on the footpath. Doubling is illegal.
Parents whose children cycle to school should check that the machines come up to necessary safety standards, and ensure that children are sufficiently competent to ride to and from school as there are some extremely dangerous and busy streets in the vicinity.
If you are delivering children by car, the Raymond St entrance is the preferred area to drop children off. Hurdley Street has a limited pickup and drop off area. To reduce the danger to pedestrians could you please avoid double parking near the school gates. Parents should not leave cars unattended in the pickup and drop off zones outside the school gates.
Pedestrians Crossing the Roads Around School
Students and parents arriving and departing school often need to cross the road in either Hurdley Street, Raymond Street or Otipua Road.
We ask that the roads are crossed at certain points.
After school most foot traffic crosses in a brief and concentrated time period and we have road patrols at these points. Before school, students arrive over a wider time frame so it is not feasible to have patrols.
When not patrolled it is expected that pedestrians give way to cars at the crossing points.
At the same time, the raised crossing points slow traffic and people are driving with extreme caution around school gates so many drivers choose to treat the crossing points as though they are courtesy crossings and pause to let pedestrians cross. There are many other examples in Timaru where this is also the case.
To help explain this Daniel Naude, Road Safety Coordinator, Timaru District Council has found this on the NZTA website: www.nzta.govt.nz
Courtesy crossings
Courtesy crossings are usually made of bricks or paving and are often raised above the level of the road.
They are not official pedestrian crossings, but they do provide a place where drivers can stop safely to allow pedestrians to cross.
Please be courteous to pedestrians waiting to cross on a courtesy crossing.
Courtesy crossing
Shared zone
This is a road that has been designed to slow traffic and give priority to pedestrians. Drivers give way to pedestrians who, in turn, should not impede traffic.