[Important Update]
Changes to Afternoon Entry Times for Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians,
At Lighthouse Christian College, the safety and wellbeing of our students are our highest priorities. In reviewing our afternoon pickup procedures, we have identified concerns regarding congestion and unregulated access to the school grounds in the afternoons.
Currently, parents and guardians arrive as early as 1:00 pm and wait in the Kiss & Go area until their children are released at 3:15 pm. This presents a child safety concern as we are unable to monitor all individuals on the property during this time. Additionally, the high volume of traffic leads to significant congestion, creating further safety risks for our students. To address these concerns and ensure a safer and more orderly dismissal process, we are implementing new afternoon entry procedures starting tomorrow, Thursday, 6th February.
Updated Parent Entry Schedule (Effective Thursday, 6th February)
To reduce congestion and ensure appropriate supervision, parents and guardians will only be permitted to enter the school grounds at the following times:
Prep Parents: Entry permitted from 3:00 pm
Primary Parents: Entry permitted from 3:10 pm
Secondary Parents: Entry permitted from 3:30 pm
Parents and guardians arriving before their designated time will not be permitted entry to the school grounds. This measure is in place to ensure student safety and to allow our staff to conduct effective supervision during the critical transition periods of the school day.
Additional Procedures for Primary Parents
To further streamline the pickup process and assist staff in calling out children efficiently, all Primary parents must display their designated pickup sign clearly in their vehicle window. This will help us quickly identify students and facilitate a safe and efficient dismissal.
Why Are These Changes Necessary?
Child Safety – Under Victorian Child Safe Standards, we must ensure a safe and supervised environment for all students. Limiting access during the afternoon pickup ensures that only authorised individuals are present on the school grounds.
Traffic Management – The current high volume of vehicles waiting for extended periods creates unnecessary congestion, increasing risks for students moving around the school and car park areas.
Efficient Supervision – By staggering entry times, staff will be able to better monitor and facilitate a smooth and safe dismissal process.
We appreciate your cooperation in implementing these changes to enhance the safety of our school community. Please ensure that you adhere to the designated entry times and procedures and discuss these changes with anyone responsible for picking up your child.
Thank you for your support in making Lighthouse Christian College a safe and well-organised environment for all our students.
Thank You
Thank you for your continued support and partnership of our school community.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us on 03 8796 7373.
Yours in His service.
David Holloway
Deputy Principal (Operations)