Tomorrow, hundreds of primary and intermediate pupils from schools in the Wellington area are parading in orange from Parliament to Civic Square to celebrate the critical role school traffic safety teams have in helping to keep children and other pedestrians safe on the road around schools.
School traffic safety teams include school patrols, traffic wardens, and bus wardens. Orange Day parade is organised by Wellington City Council road safety staff and Wellington Area Police Education Officers to recognise the valuable contribution school traffic safety teams make in ensuring safety outside schools.
A major theme for this year is encouraging safe parking around schools. Illegal parking around schools is a serious safety issue impacting on the operation of school traffic safety teams. Yellow no parking lines are painted around school crossings and pedestrian crossings to prevent drivers from stopping too close and obscuring the view of those using the crossing. When drivers ignore these markings they compromise the safety of pedestrians and hinder the performance of school patrols.
School children will arrive at Parliament at 9.30am and at 10.00am will march from Parliament to the Town Hall via Lambton Quay, Willis and Mercer Streets to Civic Square. The children will be escorted along the route by Police patrol cars and motorbikes.
Kate McIlroy, World Mountain Running Champion will speak to the crowd at the Old Town Hall where children will be entertained by Drummer Dylan Elise, The Improvisors theatre sports group, Strathmore Community School Polynesian Group and the Techo Funk Dance company. The entertainment will wrap up at 12.15pm.
The parade is an opportunity for Police, the Council and the public to thank the patrols for the work they do. It's a fun day with a serious message.
Programme for photo opportunities below.
Ends
Orange Day Agenda
9.30 Schools arrive at Parliament
10:00 March departs from Parliament to Town Hall
10:30 MC Ronald McDonald greets children
10.35 Speaker - Kate McIlroy (World Mountain Running Champ)
10.45 Drummer - Dylan Elise
11.05 Theatre Sports group - The Improvisors
11.20 Prize Giving presented by Ronald. Categories are "Best Banner," "Best Presence on the March" and finally the "School Patrol Trophy".
11.30 Strathmore Community School Polynesian Group
11.40 Techno Funk Dance Company
11.50 Theatre Sports group - The Improvisors
12.05 Ronald McDonald to finish up
12.15 Party pack given to children as they leave the Hall.