Te Mata Primary School wins iWay challenge

November 8th, 2011

Te Mata Primary School wins iWay challenge

The inaugural iWay design challenge has been won by year five students from Te Mata Primary School.

The competition challenged students to design something that contributes to the iWay project and helps make walking and cycling around Hastings easy, safe and fun.

The winning entry saw the students design a number of new pedestrian crossing layouts for Te Mata Road which would make it safer for students from Te Mata Primary, Havelock North Intermediate and Havelock North High to walk, cycle or scooter to school.

Hastings Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says "The students did an amazing job of collecting information before they started their design work. Students and parents were asked their opinions on the safety issues while members of the team observed traffic flow around the schools on Te Mata Road."

Cynthia Bowers says "Council is looking to develop Te Mata Road as an iWay route over the next two years and the survey, comments and safety information gathered by the students will be valuable as we work through the design options for the road."

St Mary's School finished runners up in the competition for their design of a raincoat which could be worn by students who use the school's "walking bus". The raincoat was designed in the school colours with the St Mary's walking bus logo on it and its small enough to pack into its own pocket.

"The competition has been such a great success that council will be involved again next year. There is loads of enthusiasm from schools for the challenge and it's a great way of involving the community in putting forward their ideas which will help us the design of future iWay projects," Cynthia Bowers says.

Council Transportation Manager Jag Pannu says "We are also interested in hearing from other schools which are looking at new ideas that encourage students to walk or cycle to school, to ensure a collaborative approach to creating safe travel options."

The iWay Challenge is a collaboration between the Hastings District Council, Futureintech and IPENZ.

ENDS

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