Before and After School Procedures

The safety of our students is of the utmost priority at all times. This is especially important during our before and after school procedures.  Due to the large volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic during this time, there is an increase to potential harm.  We cannot sacrifice our safety procedures for the convenience of some.  Your support with following these procedures is essential and we thank the many parents and carers who constantly comply with these requests.

We would like to remind you that the school gates are opened at 8.15am and teacher supervision begins at 8.30am, 30 mins prior to the bell.  We understand that for many working parents, you may be pushed for time when dropping your child off to school on your way to work.  At St John’s we are very fortunate to have before and after school onsite run by Aspire.  Currently there are a significant number of children that are being dropped off at school prior to 8.15am and left outside the school gates and office area, which is unsupervised. If you need supervision for your child prior to 8.15am we ask that you access our before school facilities.

We know that many parents access the kiss and drop zone in the mornings.  This is an ideal option for students who can independently get out of the car by themselves with their school bag and close the car door behind them.  If your child is unable to do this by themselves the kiss and drop zone is not the appropriate method of drop off and we ask that you find a park and walk your child into the school grounds.   When utilising the kiss and drop area of the car park in the morning, we ask that you remember the following:

1. Parents must remain in the car at all times.
2. Students must exit the car via the left doors only.
3. Parents and students must not access the car boot.  
4. Bags need to be with the students, ready for a quick and smooth exit from the car.
5. Students may only exit the car when it has stopped parallel to the kiss and drop sign.

Delays in exiting the car at kiss and drop causes a backup of traffic, not only in the car park, but in the surrounding streets.  We remind you that when exiting the car park, you must turn left. Please show courtesy to all users by following these procedures.

Unfortunately we do not have a pick up zone available after school.  Parents are asked to park their cars and come into the school grounds to pick up their children.  There are very few car parking spots available, so we ask that you avoid using this as your first option.  If you do opt to drive into the car park and there is not an available parking spot, we ask that you continue driving, rather than double parking.

We are always looking for ways to improve and ensure the safety of all, so if you have any ideas or feedback you would like to provide we would welcome you to do so via email info@sjctdow.catholic.edu.au  

Thank you once again for the many parents, grandparents and carers who consistently support the school by following these requests. Your support is greatly appreciated!