E.P.S.

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 20, 15 October 1941, Page 2

E.P.S.

PROTECTION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN AGAINST ENEMY ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS OF SPECIAL ■ SUB-COMMITTEE The following report submitted by the special committee to the Board of Governors of the Hutt Valley High School on Thursday evening was approved:— 1. (a) Head teachers should be appointed sub-wardens in the E.P.sJ and should familiarise themselves with the details of the scheme in' the district, including locations of wardens posts, first aid posts, rest centres, etc., and should confer with the district warden so as to agree on a scheme of operations if contact is not possible at the outbreak of an emergency. (b) Scholars should be grouped according to the zones in which they or the routes by which they would reach them, and emergency drills should be held by groups for speedy exit from buildings and for marching quickly to their homes or places of safety. Assistant teachers and, where necessary, senior scholars, should act as leaders, know exactly who are under their care, and

see that none are missing. (c) Classes of senior pupils from Forma I and II (Standards 5 and 6) in elementary first aid Should be arranged where possible, and additional first aid equipment should be provided at schools to enable this work to be pursued. (d) Arrangements shouTd be made with the E.P.S. firu fighting controller for the training of teachers and senior pupils from Forms 1 i and II (at least ten per cent, ol I total number) as fire fighting | squads. (e) In the event of an emergency the head teacher should decide upon the course of action to be followed in terms of the general plan pre arranged with the district warden, having due regard to the conditions obtaining at the time. He should decide in regard to each Of the groups of children— i!i ] Whether they are to stay in school, .! ,; | Whether they are to proceed to the shelter recommended/ jh; Whether they are to.; ;bjp I -sent home. When it is considered advisable to despatch children to their homes, those residing near the school should, small groups under the care of a teacher or senior scholar. Children who live at considerable distances from the fefehool are to be sent home in a similar way after

the head teacher has made enquiries from the district warden and is satisfied that the route is reasonably safe. 'I. When the homes of some chit drcn are not within walking distance, and transport is not available, or when the routes to their homes are considered unsafe so that it be comes necessary to hold the children near the school, then these; children are to be taken quickly in groups to the natural shelter recommended by the protection of children committee or to other shelters if any are constructed for the purpose o. In the event of sudden bombardment requiring children to remain temporarily in the school, they should be kept away from windows and doorways and should be made to lie. or crouch beneath desks to avoid falling material and flying glass. The safest positions in such a case, or in cases where children are caught in the open by bombing, is to lie face down clear of traffic, hands over ears, and tongue away from teeth: a small piece of rubber or wood between the teeth will help to avoid concussion and deafness. Arrangements are to be made by the head teacher to hold, at the school or elsewhere—(even after the emergency)—pupils whose parents are away at work and who have not. made some prior mutual arrangement for them to be cared for by friends or neighbours, and pupils who live in other districts and are attending special classes, manual training, etc., at the school, and who are dependent on long dis lance transport. 4. The Education Department should be requested to provide funds for the purchase of small stocks of biscuits, tinned milk, etc.; to be used where children have to be held for some hours in shelters or at the school, so that hot drinks, etc., can be provided. 5. It is recommended that all , school children be provided with identification labels on which is vrkten indelibly the name and street address of wearer, and that the label be something of a permanent nature and be worn continuously. Parents should be made familiar with the arrangements made at. each school for the protection of children, and that publicity be given by the Minister of Education or chief ■ warden, preferably over the air. 6. That the fire controller be asked to visit schools and advise < how many sand containers, shovels, i rakes, etc., are necessary, and will i give instruction to the fire squads at i times to be arranged. 6. That early public notification 1 be given regarding tlie warning signal for an emergency and the all- ; clear signal, and that practice signals be given to enable the public 1 to become thoroughly familiar with i them. i 8. Where special transport is re- i quired to take children long dis- i tanees, or where billeting of chii- i

dren overnight is necessary, the requirements are to be made known in ample time to the district warden. If he cannot meet the demand locally, he is to request assistance from E.P.S. Headquarters. 9. It is recommended that telephones be installed at all schools. 10. Head teachers should see that all their assistant teachers are aware of the scheme of operations, and in particular that, the first assistant teacher is ready to assume full responsibility in an emergency if the head teacher is.not available,