And now a word from
Mrs Richards...
Safety During the School Holidays
As school holidays approach, many children will begin spending more time outdoors, riding bikes, visiting parks, walking to a friend’s house, or playing a little further from their parents or carers than usual. This makes the holiday period a timely opportunity for families to talk about personal safety in a calm, age-appropriate way.
While the phrase “stranger danger” is familiar, experts now encourage us to focus less on teaching children to fear strangers, and more on teaching them to recognise unsafe situations and know what to do if something doesn’t feel right.
Most strangers are kind and harmless, and we do not want children to become frightened of the world around them. Instead, our goal is to help children build the confidence and practical skills they need to stay safe.
Helpful messages to teach children:
Trust your feelings. If a person or situation makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or confused, it is okay to leave straight away.
Move away and find a safe adult. This might be a parent, grandparent, teacher, police officer, shop worker, another trusted adult with children, or a neighbour your family knows well.
Say “No” loudly and clearly. Children should know it is okay to use a strong voice if someone is asking them to do something that feels wrong.
Never go anywhere with someone without checking with a parent or trusted adult first. This includes if someone offers help, a lift, a treat, money, or asks them to help find a lost pet.
Keep family rules simple and clear. For example: “Stay where I can see you,” “Tell me before you leave the yard/park,” or “Always check with me before going to someone else’s house.”
A few important reminders for families:
Make sure your child knows their full name, a parent/carer’s name and phone number, and their home address (where age-appropriate).
If your child is old enough to be out of your sight for short periods, talk about where they are allowed to go and when they need to return.
Encourage children to play with a friend or sibling where possible, rather than alone.
Revisit online safety too—children should know that the same rules apply online: they should never share personal information or agree to meet someone without a trusted adult.
Keep the conversation calm and empowering
These conversations are most effective when they are calm, practical and reassuring. Rather than focusing on scary “what if” situations, try phrases such as:
“Most people are safe, but sometimes people make unsafe choices.”
“If something doesn’t feel right, you can always walk away and find a safe adult.”
“You are never in trouble for telling us if something worries you.”
When children know what to do, they are more likely to feel confident rather than fearful.
As we head into the holidays, a short conversation at home about personal safety can make a big difference. Working together, we can help children enjoy greater independence while also feeling safe, prepared and supported.