Bright pre-schoolers easy to spot

Max Amon, 3, and the rest of the Maxwell pre-school kids show off their safety vests, handed out by Constable Peter Gray (rear) and donated by Maxwell Quarry. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

The kids from Maxwell Preschool are now hard to miss as they walk around the rural community.

Maxwell Quarry donated 20 vests to the school as pupils often walk along rural roads and occasionally even State Highway 3. The vests were presented to the kids at the Whanganui Police Station yesterday. Youth aid officer Constable Peter Gray handed out vests to the 17 youngsters who visited yesterday. After he shared his knowledge about road safety, the kids got to meet dog handler Senior Constable Jason Page and police dog Farris. The officer then escorted the kids on a walking tour to the Tramshed, PS Waimarie berth and Moutoa Gardens. Teacher Alex Goodwin said the experience was full of information and fun for the Maxwell under-5s.

"As he walked them round he explained the road rules to the kids, including how traffic lights work.

"He also showed us around the police station but told the kids the officers were working and had to be quiet, so they all waved at them quietly. And all the officers at their desks sat there and waved and smiled back. It was great."

She said the preschool staff were focused on giving pupils real-life situations.

"We find that having real experiences makes all the difference. They reinforce what they've learned in class.

"We've been doing safety at the preschool, doing things like reading the books and looking at pictures, but it's nothing like having a real police officer talk them through it."