Scooter Safety: Building Responsible Habits
We have seen a growing number of students using scooters to travel to and from school. We would like to remind students and caregivers of our expectations regarding safe scooter use.
The safety of our students, pedestrians, and other road users is paramount. Students who ride scooters to school must wear an approved helmet and only one person may ride a scooter. For safety reasons, scooters are not permitted to be ridden anywhere on the school grounds. Students must get off their scooter at the school entrance and push it to the scooter parking area. When leaving school, they must push their scooter to the school exit before riding home. Students are reminded to be mindful of their speed and to always ride courteously and responsibly.
When wearing the Sancta Maria College uniform, students represent our school beyond the gates. They are expected to ride safely, wear helmets, and ensure only one rider is always on a scooter.
Together with parents and caregivers, we are helping students build safe, responsible habits for life.
Strengthening Digital Safety for Our Students
The online world presents many exciting opportunities for learning and connection, but it also brings increasing challenges. Caregivers will be aware of ongoing public discussion, both in New Zealand and internationally, regarding young people’s access to social media, the impact of addictive online algorithms, and the need for stronger digital safeguards.
At Sancta Maria College, student wellbeing and safety remain a priority. This year, we introduced Linewize, a digital safety platform that protects students on school networks by blocking inappropriate websites, limiting social media access during school hours, and detecting attempts to bypass safety measures, including VPN use.
Linewize provides us with regular reports, allowing staff to intervene when concerning online behaviour is identified and to support students in making safer digital choices.
Looking ahead to 2027, we are exploring a Linewize app for student-owned devices at school, adding stronger protections during the day and giving families the option to extend monitoring at home. Should this initiative proceed, the estimated cost would be approximately $5-$7 per student.
Families who would like to learn more about the Linewize platform can visit the Linewize New Zealand website.
If you have any questions about our digital safety initiatives, please feel free to contact Mr Lawrence Naicker at l.naicker@sanctamaria.school.nz.
Keeping young people safe online is a shared responsibility, and we value caregiver support as we strengthen safeguards that help students learn, connect, and grow digitally safe habits.
Alternative to visiting your GP this winter
With health services experiencing high demand, online GP care is an option for accessing care and the service is now free for all children up to, and including, the age of 13yrs.
Appointments usually take place through a video app or a phone call, and the service can prescribe medicine and send prescriptions to your nearest pharmacy.
To learn more visit Online GP care: Online GP care – Health New Zealand
You can also find out more here: Care options for you and your whānau [PDF, 498 KB]