Since I started at William Clarke five years ago, without fault, one of the first pages of the diary has been contacts. There, parents and students can find a diagram that illustrates points of contact if there is an issue. This allows for a pragmatic way to solve both personal and mass problems in our school.  

However, what happens when an issue is brought up countless times? Over many years? By different people? You would expect the issue to be solved or, at least, neutralised. But that is not always the case.  

I’ll get to the point. Like I mentioned earlier, I began attending William Clarke five years ago. And for all of those years, congested roads (especially Morris Grove) always have been an issue. Yes, most schools create traffic during pick up and drop off times. The difference, however, is that William Clarke has options to minimise the traffic, options that also are better suited for the new secondary curriculum.  

While it seems like a trivial issue, traffic around the school can be a disturbance to students and parents. You may be asking; if you are so sure, what are the solutions? Here are a few that I have heard: 

1. Since the change in the ending time of the school day for the secondary, traffic has increased as the primary and secondary students are all trying to get home at the same time. This issue only supports the recent discussion of making the school day shorter. As the SRC voted on, a possible alternative would be to have shorter recesses and lunches, instead letting secondary students get home earlier (meaning that secondary and primary school leaving times no longer coincide).  
2. Morris Grove, being one lane each way, is often congested with cars. Whether in the morning or the afternoon, there is almost always traffic there. A possible option would be to open up Morris Grove’s cul-de-sac, connecting it to Green Road. Yes, this would require William Clarke to file paperwork, however, there is a chance that this would help with traffic around the school.  
3. The gravel on the end of Morris Grove is a hazard. At best it is inconvenience, at worst it means that rocks fly everywhere from cars’ impact.  This one seems rather simple. Lay some concrete. Again, this probably requires permission from the council – however, would ensure safety of students and make sure that no cars are damaged.  

William Clarke, just like any other school, will always have parents and students complaining about issues. And just like any other school, they must deal accordingly.  

An issue with possible solutions should never be an obstruction to learning.