College Notices

Rescheduled Staff Development Day

The staff development day scheduled for Monday 20 July at the beginning of Term 3 is brought forward to Friday 5 June which will now be a pupil free day, giving the boys an extra day to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend. Monday 20 July will be a normal school day to commence Term 3.

Kiss and Drop Rules

All members of the community are reminded of the email sent by Mr Chase last week regarding transport to and from the College. “Please do not park in Kiss and Drop from 2.30pm.” While we realise there is increased traffic due to the current climate, the regulations around Kiss and Drop do not change.  The zones are ‘designed for quick entry and exit’ and ‘operate under the same conditions as no parking zones’ (Service NSW). Over the years, the College has been clear about our expectations at Kiss and Drop in order to provide safety for all students and to accommodate the concerns of our neighbours. These areas are often patrolled by police and council rangers; those disregarding the instructions on the signs may be fined.

As a College, we ask that Francis Street and Edgar Street is a ONE WAY zone between 8.00am and 8.40am and between 2.30pm and 4.00pm to allow for the smooth flow of traffic. No person picking up a student should be parked on the opposite side of the Kiss and Drop section, in Edgar Street in front of the Junior School nor in the streets immediately around the College (including Francis Street and Merley Road). Doing so increases the risk of injury and inhibits the flow of traffic and interferes with buses.  We are also prohibited from allowing traffic to block the roundabout at the intersection of Shortland Avenue and Francis Street; please do not queue across it.

Please move to the front of Kiss and Drop, have your son/s get in the car quickly and move off as one line. The next group of cars can then move forward and so on. Mr Chase’s email also reminded everybody that ‘if your son is not at Kiss and Drop you will be asked to join the queue again.’ 

Do not pick your son up at the corner or the end of Edgar Street as this prevents the smooth flow of traffic. When drivers overtake and move past stopped cars, this creates a hazard for other drivers and for students. 

Everyone needs to be patient with these arrangements. If you do not want to wait in the Kiss and Drop queue or abide by these requirements, please organise an alternative mode of transport for your son – walking home, using public transport, or parking several blocks away from the College and collecting your son from there. 

We have also had numerous calls from concerned drivers and residents about the lack of care some boys are taking crossing the road at various points including Dickson Street and Barker Road.  Parents and caregivers, please discuss these safety measures with your sons and remind them to look out, to cross at crossings where provided and to not weave between the traffic.

In addition, DO NOT pick up or drop off your son in Hydebrae Street. If this continues, the boys concerned will receive a consequence. 

Lastly, please do not abuse our staff for doing their job. This is not only rude and intolerable it is not what we expect as members of our St Patrick’s College community as we look after your children’s safety. Thank-you for your attention to this important matter as we all aim to keep our students, parents, and staff safe from harm.

Craig Wattam

Principal