A primary school campaign on rail safety in the Hunter has been hailed a major success with over 4,000 Newcastle and Upper Hunter students across more than 30 schools receiving important rail safety messages.
A primary school campaign on rail safety in the Hunter has been hailed a major success with over 4,000 Newcastle and Upper Hunter students across more than 30 schools receiving important rail safety messages.
QR National joined forces with the Newcastle Jets and Newcastle Knights for the four-month campaign, which wrapped up in Newcastle last week with a visit to Mulbring Primary School.
Newcastle Jets and Knights players have been on hand at primary schools throughout the region encouraging students to ‘Stop, Look, Listen and Think- at rail crossings.
The messages also included information on the dangers of playing near train tracks.
Newcastle Knights Rail Safety Ambassador James McManus says he-s proud to have headed up the initiative.
“Trains are a major part of our community and young people can sometimes see them as fun,” McManus said.
“The safety messages we have been delivering to primary schools could help save lives by educating children about the dangers of railway lines and keeping them off the tracks.”
Interactive presentations at the schools included a QR National train driver who was on hand to answer students- questions.
Each student also received a ‘Stop, Look, Listen and Think- poster featuring James McManus and a pencil case or cap.
QR National-s Safety Manager Tim Gearing says the company places a strong focus on getting the safety messages out.
“We focus on safety as a major part of our workplace, but also believe it-s important to us to educate the broader community and in particular children around Rail Safety,” Gearing said.
Schools visited as part of the program in 2012 were:
St Columban-s – Mayfield
Our Lady of Victories – Shortland
Tighes Hill Public School
St Patrick-s – Wallsend
St Pauls – Rutherford
Tenambit Public School
Carrington Public School
Hinton Public School
Wallsend South Public School
Biraban – Toronto
Gillieston Heights Public School
Jesmond Public School
Morisset Public School
Weston Public School
Waratah Public School
Edgeworth Public School
Muswellbrook South Public School
Maryland Public School
Rosary Park Catholic – Branxton
Speers Point Primary School
Argenton Public School
St James – Muswellbrook
St John Vianney – Morisset
Belmont North Primary School
East Maitland Public School
St John-s – Lambton
Sandy Hollow Public School
Mayfield West Demonstration School
Millers Forest Public School
St James – Kotara South
Mulbring Primary School
The QR National Rail Safety program will re-launch in April 2013. For more information on the QR National Rail Safety Term or for schools looking to register for a visit, please contact rvanderveer@huntersportsgroup.com.
