There has been some discussion surrounding the time when children are allowed to come onto the school grounds each day before our 8.55am start.

This has largely arisen because of recent policy changes and also due to the implementation of new Health and Safety regulations. The policy is very clear that if children are at school before the stated opening time, the school cannot guarantee any form of supervision. This is also the same for the end of the school day.

As at all schools, our teachers are engaged in teaching preparation and regular meetings before 8:55am and are unavailable to supervise children. We also employ contractors to complete maintenance work out of school hours to lessen any potential safety risks to children and staff and, on occasion, these people are on the school site before it officially opens for the day. In addition the road patrols do not go on duty till after 8.25am each day, meaning children are not assisted to safely cross the road until that time.

Whilst we appreciate that many parents have to get to work early, dropping children at school before the school grounds are officially open is not a safe option. There is a before-school care programme available on site run by Sport Canterbury which parents can use; contact details for this programme can be obtained at the school office. Some of our students are regularly dropped at a friend's house so that they can come to school together at 8:30am instead of being at school before the grounds are open.

As happens at other schools, children who arrive at school before the school opening time of 8:30am need to wait quietly outside of classrooms and cloak-bays. Our designated area for this is the space outside Rooms 1-4 and including the sheltered doorway of the multi-purpose room. This is inclusive of any children who are dropped off early because of a sibling’s involvement in programmes such as senior choir, SMP, WASP, Years 7&8 technology, etc. We have arranged for the shade sails outside Rooms 1-4 to remain in place over the winter to ensure these children remain as dry as possible.

Whilst we understand that this may not be to everyone’s satisfaction, we believe that it is the best option for student safety and school management. We thank you in advance for your support as we implement this more consistently next term.

Susan Jennison                                            Fiona Gilmore

Principal/Tumuaki                                      Chair, on behalf of the Board of Trustees