Constable delivers safe scootering plan

A group of Bluestone School pupils were led to school by a senior police constable yesterday as they learnt about arriving at school safely.

School community officer Senior Constable Marie Froud, of Timaru, was delivering a scooter safety programme to pupils – one of numerous school programmes she delivers around South Canterbury.

‘‘Most of the schools around South Canterbury know me well. I’m at different places every day for different programmes,’’ Froud said.

She has been a New Zealand police officer for more than 16 years and has been working as a school community officer for 13 of those years.

‘‘The scooter safety programme is for kids who come to school in a scooter or just ride around Timaru in a scooter, and it’s about learning how to get from point A to point B safely.

‘‘I teach them to check the driveways for cars going in or out. How to cross a road safely on a pedestrian crossing and how to cross a road where there is no pedestrian crossing.’’

Froud said the road users are positive around them.

‘‘We’re not blocking the driveway or stopping anywhere. We just let the cars continue on their way.’’

Froud said she works with schools on a range of programmes like Keeping Ourselves Safe, Loves Me Not, Cyber Safety and Road Safety for juniors and seniors.

‘‘The programmes are hugely important. It gives the students the tools needed and teaches them things they can and can’t do.

‘‘The programmes gives them knowledge which then empowers them which in turn makes them feel safe. They [school children] come away with a lot of confidence.’’

The Keeping Ourselves Safe programme has returned positive results, as children had disclosed abuse to her ‘‘many times’’, Froud said.

The Cyber Safety programme for year 4-13 teaches pupils antibullying, general awareness, online etiquette, how to get help and the surrounding laws.