Friday the 13th Becomes 'Orange Day'

More than 1200 schoolchildren will march through the city this Friday 13 June to celebrate school patrols and the essential work they do.

Everyone will dress in orange and march to the tune of the Scots College pipe band from Parliament, through Lambton Quay and Willis Street to Civic Square.

The march will start at 10.00am, so expect traffic delays along this route until about 10.20am as there will be a rolling road closure in place for this event. The march will be followed by a celebration at the Town Hall to thank the school patrols for their dedication and hard work. Hosts for the day are local theatre sports group The Improvisors.

Wellington Police Education Officer Constable Duncan Ashton, who trains school patrols, says that patrols have a very responsible job controlling both motorists and pedestrians.

"Patrols have had an amazing safety record since they were established in the 1930s. But today's traffic patterns are very different, and it is the responsibility of all drivers to ensure they do not hinder the patrols," he says. "This especially happens when vehicles stop on yellow lines or double-park, blocking their vision."

The Chairperson of the Council's Road Safety Reference Group, Councillor Ngaire Best says this is a great way to recognise all the years of hard work that volunteers have done to ensure schoolchildren's safety.

"It is always quite a lively and colourful parade," she says. "Everyone is decked out in orange, with many people carrying road props such as orange traffic cones throughout the streets. This Friday, 40 schools will get the chance to have fun while thanking those who make their journey to school a safe one."

The parade is sponsored by Wellington City Council, NZ Police and Pak‘nSave.