School with a safety lesson for all

Brian Donaldson • Published 5 Nov 2009 09:00 0 Comments

See also:

Schools are not just for the present and future. They also have a major importance in telling history over the years.

Entering any school, you are confronted with photographs of various classes, sports teams and even an entire school.

But for one school in particular, these have a poignant and moving reminder of the past.

At St. Comhghall's College, Lisnaskea, a new memorial garden has been tastefully constructed in the grounds to remember 33 of its pupils and past pupils who have been killed in road accidents.

It's a shocking truth especially when we realise that the school has only been in existence for 39 years.

With the current debate over safety of children on their way to and from school, it is easy to overlook all those who have gone before.

But those attending St. Comhghall's will quickly realise that road safety is a daily lesson for all involved there, not just pupils but all the staff too.

The school has introduced a number of initiatives in a bid to safeguard future generations who go through its doors. They organised driving lessons for Year 13 and 14 pupils three years ago, offering 12 hours of free lessons in a fully approved DOE car wtih a fully approved driving instructor.

Then there is the GCSE in Motor Vehicles and Road User Studies course for those interested in taking a qualification.

The school also launched a "Safer Routes to School" scheme where children who were travelling to school on bikes, buses or walking to take care on the roads and encouraged to do so more safely.

They have even assessed their own safety within the school grounds. A survey found that improvements could be made so they introduced speed ramps to slow down buses and all traffic. They improved their signage, introduced road markings such as double yellow lines and zig-zag lines and reduced the speed limit to just 5mph.

Anyone approaching the school on the Brookeborough Road out of Lisnaskea will notice flashing signs to slow down traffic and campaigned strongly to extend the 30mph speed limit to cover the school entrance. Previously it was within a 40mph zone.

With the Western Board now talking about reflective wear for pupils, St. comhghall's already introduced high visibility jackets or reflectors just when the darker evenings were approaching.

The school should be applauded for taking the initiative in the whole concept of road safety. Protecting its current and prospective pupils from road or serious injury on the roads would be a fitting tribute to all those who have gone before.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 05 Nov 09

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Opinion archives.