Gracefield School’s enthusiastic Year 6 student Road Patrollers
Gracefield School’s Road Patrollers are as enthusiastic a group of Year 6 students as a person could meet. They gather in the sun by their crossing and talk about what’s it is like to be out there before and after school.
“It was a bit scary the first time!” says Phoebe seriously, when recounting her very first day on the crossing. Another of the patrol team, Lucy, says she found the first day really exciting, and the boys seem to agree.The Road Patrollers mind the crossing once a week, in teams of two, usually with the same partner each time.
“Some people don’t look” adds Natalie while giving the details of how to use the crossing properly. She goes on to identify a number of adult pedestrians who violate the rules of the crossing. The rest of the patrollers nod in support as she gives the descriptions of the offenders – they know exactly who she means.
The behaviour of the drivers is mixed, “Sometimes they listen, and sometimes they don’t” explains Leon with a shrug. “If they don’t stop we write their number plate down in a book!” “But we don’t stop big trucks, ambulances or police cars with their lights on” Michaela reminds everyone.
The group bubbles over with excitement as they explain how they look after the younger children and how they keep an eye on those who might not know how to use the crossing safely. They stop the traffic, and for their small section of road they protect their peers, parents and strangers. A valuable job well done at Gracefield School.