| "Currently
in the Banbridge area we are fortunate to have all posts filled.
However the difficulty arises when someone cannot attend work,
perhaps through sickness and this is why we are now advertising
in a bid to recruit additional staff for the reserve register.
Potential employees may receive training and can be called
upon to cover vacant posts in and around the local area. I
would urge anyone interested in assisting local children to
get safely to school to come forward and apply" he continued.
The last time the SELB advertised for school crossing patrol
staff in the Banbridge area, 2 posts were on offer and only
2 people applied for the positions. This means it has been
difficult to build up a list of reserve candidates that can
fill in when the situation arises.
Mr Flannigan went on to point out "Parents need to be
reminded that they are ultimately responsible for their children
getting safely to and from school, the SELB have no statutory
obligation to provide patrols".
Children making their way to school in the Banbridge area,
have up to 12 school patrol crossings which cover the majority
of local schools both primary and post primary.
Mr Flannigan went on to say "In the past, we have encouraged
other school ancillary staff for example, kitchen or cleaning
staff to come forward and take on the extra hours for crossing
patrol duty. This has worked very well in some cases - with
everyone working together."
"The work that the school patrol crossing staff do is
exceptional, they are out in all types of weather conditions,
of the highest standard and are particularly conscientious.
The lollipop person is very much part of the school community
and the children and parents really appreciate the contribution
they make", he finished.
Interested parties should contact SELB Transport Services
on 3741 5399 for further information. |
