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Westlea children get deeper into reading Keeping children safe as roads
Youngsters and their parents at Westlea Primary School have taken up have become ever more busy
the challenge to boost the love of reading in a project launched at the Two long serving school crossing patrol people from Westleas Primary
beginning of the year.
School were amongst a group invited to take tea with the Mayor of Swindon
Nick Martin at the end of July to mark the national sixtieth anniversary
of the service.
Whilst some local authorities have
disbanded their crossing patrol service
Swindon Council has retained it as
an important way of reducing road
casualties.
Although the uniform and sign
have changed to meet modern stan-
dards – and patrols can now stop
traffic to cross any pedestrian, adult or
child - the role is essentially the same
today as it was 60 years ago.
At that time around 90 per cent
of children walked to school unac- The Mayor with John Hodges and
companied. Now many parents bring Sylvie Dundas
children to school in cars, but the aim school is a 20mph zone; I’d like to
In July the top three readers from Many children have achieved 250 is to persuade them to walk for health see it extended to Westlea Drive. It’s
each class were presented with special reads since January and the challenge reasons and to reduce traffic danger still too fast even with humps and me
certificates. for the end of 2013 is to attain 400 outside schools. stopping traffic to let people cross.
The reading scheme is graded ac- reads. John Hodges was the crossing “It’s a very friendly job, everybody
cording to age and certificates are Headteacher Suzanne Seaton said patrol man on Westlea Drive from says good-morning. Most of the driv-
given out for every 25 reads which take children were encouraged to keep 1993 to 2008. When he had to give ers are OK but sometimes I have to
place at home for up to 20 minutes up their reading during the summer up on health grounds, his partner make my presence felt.”
under the guidance of parents. Older holiday. “The project has become very Sylvie Dundas took over the yellow • Crossing patrol vacancy at Oliver
children read on their own but their popular and we’ve seen a tremendous jacket and lollipop stick. “I knew the Tomkins Primary School, Toothill. Call
understanding of a story has to be increase in confidence in reading, job and nobody else would take it on,” Margaret Tester on 01793 466399
verified by an adult. both in class and for pleasure.” she said. “Langstone Way outside the for details

Striving for Excellence
Cirencester Kingshill School

Head: Christine S. Oates
Highworth Warneford School
An Academy Putting Excellence First

OPEN MORNINGS

Monday 23rd September
to Friday 11th October

Highworth Warneford is an outstanding secondary school
providing an excellent learning environment
which allows pupils to thrive and develop their academic,
personal and social skills.
OPEN EVENING
So that you can see for yourself the quality of our provision,
we would like to invite you to visit the school on a Thursday 19th September 2013 at 6.45pm
normal working day. Each visit lasts for about 1½ hours and will
give you the opportunity to see lessons and meet pupils and staff.
OPEN MORNINGS
To book your visit, please contact Mrs Lewis,
the Admissions Officer, on: Thursday 26th September 2013 at 9.15am
(01793) 762426 and Friday 27th September 2013 at 9.15am
or email: [email protected] A warm welcome is extended to see for yourself
the work of this first class Secondary School.
For further details and a prospectus
please contact the school on 01285 651511
www.cirencesterkingshill.gloucs.sch.uk
swindonlink.com • September 2013 9

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