Ryde Public School creates safer school drop off and pick up
Ryde Public School staff recognised the need to support parents and families in enhancing their safe road user behaviour, during drop-off and pick-up times.
To address this, the school collaborated with the City of Ryde Council, their local Road Safety Education Officer, Eastwood Police Traffic Supervisor, Department of Education Work Health and Safety Advisor, parents, carers, staff, and students to explore potential solutions for improved safety.
With the support of the local Road Safety Education Officer, the school developed a comprehensive whole-school approach to enhance student safety.
The City of Ryde Council conducted an on-site assessment, reviewing signage, traffic signal timings, and increasing enforcement measures with parking rangers.
Three teachers from the school attended the department's two-day "Road Safety Education: Safer Behaviours through PDHPE K-6" workshop, and another teacher engaged in the "Road Safety Education for SSP and Support Unit Teachers K-12" workshop.
Subsequently, the school recognised the importance of all staff members engaging in road safety. They collaborated with the local Road Safety Education Officer to co-facilitate a professional development session for the entire staff. Those who had attended the initial workshops were able to share their knowledge with their colleagues, promoting best practices in road safety education and utilising the most relevant resources for their local context.
Following this session, the school developed teaching and learning materials and adjusted their existing safe entry/exit from school procedures to cater for the needs of all students.
Through student voice, all students K-6 are continuously upskilled on key road safety messages through their Students' Representative Council TV, which provides videos and regular discussions on how to stay safe around the local roads.
Parents and carers at Ryde Public School were also supported, with students and teachers creating informative videos on keeping all students safe. View these two videos they created and shared with their school community:
- Kiss and Ride
- Expectations for drop off and pick at the Diverse Learning Space.
This collective effort has led to an increase in student safety and a more efficient dismissal process at the end of the school day.
The improved knowledge among parents has empowered them to make safer choices for the benefit of all students.
Student involvement has increased their understanding of the importance of being a safe road user.