Kia Ora Whanau,

We have been involved in daily catch-ups with the Ministry of Education, Police, Wellington City Council and ECE services to collectively come up with solutions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our ākonga and staff as they travel to and from school.

We have identified a route as shown on the attached map that ākonga can use to get to and from school to avoid most of the areas that are currently impacted by protestors. Please let your child know that it is expected that they walk this route to school and that this route will be the safest way to avoid the majority of any protestor action.

From tomorrow Monday 28 February, Police, Māori Wardens, Wellington City Council staff and whānau volunteers from across the schools will be deployed across the route as outlined in the map as ākonga travel to and from school. This will operate between the hours of 7.30am – 9.00am and 2.30pm – 3.45pm on a daily basis (Monday – Friday) and will be reviewed as necessary.

I will be there tomorrow at the station explaining to students that they walk the usual route that staff and volunteers have been overseeing for the past few weeks. 

From Tuesday students will walk along the safe corridor with Police, Wellington City Council staff and Maori wardens posted at points along the route. 

The people being deployed will be easily identified as Police and Māori wardens will be in a uniform and the other staff will be wearing a high viz vest and mask.  As you can see each of these groups are deployed to cover particular sections of the route and a ‘back up’ alternative route has also been identified should it be required.

We are also actively working with Metlink to determine alternative Bus Routes closer to our school and will update you once this is finalised.

It has been very positive working on this issue as a collective and I am grateful to everyone for their willingness to work together to support our school community.

Regular pick-up and drop-off for school will continue to be on the St Mary's College courts accessed via Hawkestone Street.  

Thank you for all the feedback over the past few weeks. It has helped us to strengthen processes for our students during this very challenging time. 

Take care and keep safe. 

Bernadette

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