Canterbury

One of our primary concerns is ensuring a safe and secure environment for students and their belongings while on campus.

Students are frequently reminded of this during House and School Assemblies.

We have recently had to take a stronger stance on the proper storage of school bags during school hours, as a great deal of admin time is being spent supporting students to find lost items, not securely stored in their provided lockers.

The practice of collecting unattended school bags left out in the open is being introduced to address several key concerns:

1. Preventing Trip Hazards: Bags left outside buildings and classrooms can pose tripping hazards, especially during times of movement between classes, or in emergency situations.
2. Enhancing Security: By ensuring students keep their bags in their lockers, we can minimise the risk of students taking the wrong bag and items going missing.
   Our 'high IQ' crows also present a problem, pulling items out of bags left on top of lockers - and yes, they have been observed getting into bags with closed zippers.
3. Reducing Stress: Students and their parents/carers experience stress when their belongings cannot be located, which will be vastly reduced by using the lockers provided.
4. Item Longevity: School bags, clothing and other items left outside in the elements deteriorate much faster, meaning more expenses to replace them, while 'cost of living' pressures remain high.

Students are aware of the following:

1. Students are required to leave their bags in their lockers between 8:00am and 3:20pm.
2. Sports bags should only be taken to PE and fitness lessons, and must be kept in lockers for the remainder of the day.
3. All bags should be clearly labelled with the student's full name and House for easy identification.
4. Essential items required for each lesson can be carried in the school laptop bag or small, plain black laptop bag for Years 11 and 12 students.
5. For students in Years 7-8, phones must be handed into Secondary School Administration each morning.
6. For students in Years 9-12, phones must be stored in lockers from 8:00am.

We are now gathering up any unattended bags left on top of lockers or outside school buildings - for example, the Secondary Library or School Canteen.

They are then being stored safely inside the Secondary School Administration Building.

Students can collect their belongings from our office in the first instance, however, a second instance will result in a detention being issued.

We understand this change may require some adjustment, but we believe the benefits around student safety, cost-savings from lost gear, and greater care being taken for belongings, are worth the transition.

So we kindly request your cooperation in encouraging your child to use the locker provided to store their belongings.

Single items are taken to the Lost Property Room which is open Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00am.

Students can also check with Secondary School Administration and their Head of House.

Found 'named items' are passed onto the relevant Head of House.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this implementation, please do not hesitate to contact Secondary School Administration - T: 07 3299 0843 | 

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Kind regards

Mrs Rebecca Adamson
Head of Secondary School