Holiday over for thousands of Hawke's Bay schoolchildren

Children walk across the pedestrian crossing after a day at St Patrick's School, Riverbend Rd, Napier - story about vehicle speeds near schools Photographer: Duncan Brown

As the summer holidays draw to a close, hundreds of thousands of children around the country are expected to enter the school gates for the first time this year.

About 30,700 students from Years 1-13 will head back to Hawke's Bay schools this week.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said almost 775,000 student were heading to school nationwide and hoped "they are all looking forward to a new or first year of learning, friendships and developing new skills".

"For more than 10,000 5-year-olds and their parents it will be an even more exciting time as our youngest students go through the school gates for the first time. They'll meet their first school teacher, learn about school routines and make new friends," Mr Hipkins said.

Over the next four terms more than 50,000 new 5-year-olds will also start school. Almost all will have attended early childhood education.

"They will begin learning to read and write and learn about the arts, maths, health, science, social sciences and technology.

"Parents looking for practical advice about how to prepare for the big day can find back-to-school tips on the Ministry of Education's website," Mr Hipkins said.

Meanwhile, police are urging parents to check their children's road safety knowledge.

Manager of operations for road policing Inspector Peter McKennie said they were asking parents to sit down with their kids before the end of the holidays and have a conversation around road safety rules. This is particularly important if children are going to be travelling to school on their own.

"The summer holidays are long and that means some children might have forgotten some of the basic rules they need to follow to keep themselves safe.

"Help them to choose the safest route to get there and do a few practise walks or bikes with them so they are familiar with the route and the safest places to cross," says Inspector McKennie.

"It is important to remind them that any time they are crossing the road they must stop, look, and listen for any cars, bikes, or cyclists before they step out."

Police are also urging parents to remember that their kids will follow their example.

"If you break the rules – kids will think it is okay to as well and that can put lives in danger. For that reason we need parents to stick to the road rules.

"Try parking a bit further away from school and walking if there aren't any free parks close by, make sure you don't park on yellow lines.

"For motorists in general, remember to keep your speed down and be extra alert in case a child runs or bikes in front of you without warning. Even small increases in speed result in a much greater increase in your stopping distance, and that can mean the difference between life and death for pedestrians, so it's vital you slow down around schools.

"Children make mistakes, but they don't deserve to pay for them with their life. How you drive makes the difference," says Inspector McKennie.

Other safety tips for walking or biking to school include:
- Young children should be accompanied by an adult, older child, or a buddy.
- Discuss the use of crosswalks, and why it's safer to cross at some corners rather than others.
- Discuss the meaning of traffic signals and markings along the route.
- Teach them to co-operate with police, school safety patrols, and adult crossing guards.
- Contact the school and see if there is a walking school bus available. If not, look at setting up one yourself.