Bus Safety Week will be held from Monday 17 - Sunday 23 February 2025.

Bus Safety Week, part of the annual Be Bus Aware campaign which promotes safety on and around buses for all road users.

Having your child catch the bus to and from school each day is very important for most of our families. The following Code of Conduct sets out acceptable standards of behaviour and rules students are expected to follow for the safety and comfort of all passengers, including themselves. If the rules are not followed, it may lead to the withdrawal of travel passes for subsidised travel, banning students from travelling on buses, and even police prosecution and court action. Parents are encouraged to discuss the information below with their child.

Bus safety for school students

Safety around schools | Transport for NSW

Towards Zero—Safety around trucks and buses

CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES
It is every student’s responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes:

 Behaviour on buses:  

• Use appropriate language - not offensive or racist language.  
• Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted.
• No eating or drinking (other than water) – unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission.  
• Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers.
• Do not touch, push or shove other people.
• Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature. 
• Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of an emergency.  
• Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers. 

Safety on and near buses:  

• Obey reasonable directions from the driver (e.g. where to sit or to remain in the bus).
• Remain in your seat – do not move around the bus unnecessarily.
• If standing, remain behind the front passenger seat and keep a secure handhold at all times. 
• Keep bags and other items clear of the aisle. 
• Do not allow any part of your body to protrude out of the bus at any time. 
• Wait for the bus in a quiet and orderly manner – including at bus interchanges.  
• Stand away from the roadside until the bus comes to a complete stop.  
• Allow other passengers to leave the bus before stepping onto the bus in a single line.  
• Wait until the bus stops before moving to get off the bus at your designated stop.  
• Wait until the bus leaves the stop and you have clear vision before crossing the road.
• Cross the road where and when it’s safe to do so, use crossings/traffic lights where available. 

Legal considerations on buses: 

•  Wear the seat belt properly adjusted and fastened, if one is available.  

• Obey the law that bans smoking on buses. 
• Ensure that buses are not vandalised – report any damage, e.g. graffiti and window etching to the driver.
• Do not interfere with bus property, equipment and signage.

Guidelines for Managing School Student Behaviour on Buses 

• Do not leave rubbish on the bus, or at bus stops or interchanges. 
• Using bus passes: Show travel passes or tickets to the driver on boarding and to Authorised Revenue Protection Officers, NSW Police Officers or bus company representative when requested.
• Use the travel pass only for its intended purpose – do not lend your pass to other students or borrow a pass from them - swipe or ‘dip’ passes in ticket readers if available when boarding. 
• If issued with a School Opal card, always tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving the bus.

Academic Care Period 
The Academic Care period this week had a curriculum focus to assist students with organisation and examining their strengths, areas of further development, opportunities, and identifying any threats to this achievement. Parents are invited to talk to their child about the content that has been covered.

Year 7 - Onboarding with information about using Sentral, setting up Google docs and being aware of some everyday policies eg. mobile phones.

Year 8 - Onboarding with information about using Sentral, setting up Google docs and being aware of some everyday policies eg. mobile phones.

Year 9 - Unleash Your Potential  - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis.

Year 10 - Unleash Your Potential  - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis.

Year 11- Finalising All My Own Work and Unleash Your Potential  - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis.

Year 12- Unleash Your Potential  - Kickstart Your Year with a Powerful SWOT Analysis and final organisation for the Retreat in Week 3.

Lockers
We are happy to announce that students in Years 7 to 10 now have access to their lockers. Students all know that they are to store their bags, personal belongings and mobile phones in their lockers during the day. 

Driving and passengers
Our senior students are now either interested in learning to drive or already have their licenses. If your child intends to drive to school or be a passenger in a car driven by another student then they need to ensure that they have completed the correct documentation. The forms need to be signed, handed in at the Front Office and approved before this driving begins.

Later in the term all of Year 11 students will be attending the Rotary Young Driver Awareness (RYDA) program which offers invaluable information about how to keep young drivers safe on our local roads. More information will follow in the coming weeks.

Uniform
Toward the end of the holidays, all families received an email outlining the College expectations across a range of areas including the uniform policy. Overall our students have returned well presented in their uniforms. We are very proud that the College is well respected in the local area and know that the way our students present in their uniforms and their behaviour plays a major role in this. We are committed to maintaining this high standard and ask that parents support the College staff by checking uniforms before students come to school each day. If a correction to your child’s uniform is required then we appreciate the support from our families.

Safer Internet Day 
Safer Internet Day (11 February) is a day of action dedicated to making the internet a safer and more positive place for all. The theme for 2025 is ‘Keeping sport positive online’. During Homeroom students were reminded about the simple steps they can take to keep themselves safe in online spaces. Thank you to Mr Bissell for organising this activity.

5 core messages, which every one whether they are involved in sport or not,  can model:

• Be kind: Practice respect, empathy and kindness online.
   
• Be mindful: Balance your time online and consume and share positive and respectful content.
   
• Speak up: Report online abuse and harmful content.
   
• Start the conversation: Talk about online safety at your sports club and follow the child safe practices for online communication.
  
  
• Share resources: Visit the eSafety Sports hub and share Sport Integrity Australia’s resources.

By doing these simple things, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

Parents are reminded that the eSafety Commissioners website contains an explanation of the day and some helpful ideas. All families are encouraged to visit www.esafety.gov.au to explore the resources, FAQ and links to webinars. 

I look forward to working with our students and families throughout 2025. If you have any concerns about your child or have information that will help us to better meet their needs, can you please contact the College and ask to speak to your child's Pastoral Coordinator or myself.

Welcome to the new school year!

Mrs Louise Ibbett
Assistant Principal – Pastoral Care