Bus Transport Policy and Procedures Please note this is a Draft Policy to support the trial of our bus run commencing Term One, 2013. This policy will require adaption as needed through out the trial period. Rationale Waikaretu School Board of Trustees recognise the importance of attendance - every child at school every day. Transport is a key step to ensuring children are present at school, ready to engage in learning and achieve. The safety of our children is also paramount. Gravel roads, quarry trucks, no footpaths and the impending construction of a wind farm all impact on the children s safe journey to school. Therefore there is a strong need for safe transportation to be made available. Purpose Bus transport caters for primary aged children at this stage. Guidelines Please note times are estimates only at this stage of our trial. Morning Run Depart 964 Matira Road, 7.45am. (3 children) Travel along Richardson Road, turning right onto Waikaretu Valley Road. Pick up at 1279 Waikaretu Valley Road, 7.55am. (1 child) Turn and drive west along Waikaretu Valley Road. Pick up at 1599 Waikaretu Valley Road, 8.05am (4 children) Travel along Waikaretu Valley Road, turning left onto Pukerewa Road. Pick up at 470 Pukerewa Road, 8.15am (1 child) Turn and drive north along Pukerewa Road, turning left onto Waikaretu Port Waikato Road. Pick up at 2164 Waikaretu Port Waikato Road, 8.25am. (1 child) Continue along Waikaretu Port Waikato Road, turning right onto Kokonga East Road. Pick up at 108 Kokonga East Road. 8.30am (1 child) Turn and drive west along Kokonga East Road, turning left onto Waikaretu Port Waikato Road. Drop off at Waikaretu School, 8.45am. Afternoon Run Depart Waikaretu School, 3.00pm Travel along Waikaretu Valley Road. Drop off at 1599 Waikaretu Valley Road, 3.05pm (4 children) Travel along Waikaretu Valley Road, turning left onto Pukerewa Road. Striving for Excellence
Drop off at 470 Pukerewa Road, 3.15pm (1 child) Turn and drive north along Pukerewa Road, turning left onto Waikaretu Port Waikato Road. Drop off at 2164 Waikaretu Port Waikato Road, 3.25pm. (1 child) Continue along Waikaretu Port Waikato Road, turning right onto Kokonga East Road. Drop off at 108 Kokonga East Road. 3.30pm (1 child) Turn and drive west along Kokonga East Road, turning left onto Waikaretu Port Waikato Road. Turn right onto Richardson Road, turning right onto Matira Valley Road. Drop off 964 Matira Road, 4.00pm. (3 children) Technology If needed and a driver is available, the bus will run each fortnight for Technology classes at Huntly Primary School for Year 7 and 8 students. The conveyance allowance paid directly to the school will support the cost of this run. Cost Waikaretu School Board of Trustees currently manage one leased bus. This bus runs to ensure the safe transportation of our children. The cost of this bus is met by the Waikaretu School Board of Trustees, funding from outside organisations and the families of Waikaretu School. At present this run does not meet the MOE eligibility criteria. Currently the cost of this service to the school is approximately $50 + GST per day. In order to support the trial of this bus run, parents who are eligible to receive a conveyance allowance are asked to assign this funding directly to the school. The appropriate form is attached. New Enrolments Parents/caregivers need to notify the school if they wish their children to travel on the school bus. We prefer new entrant children to be settled into school and used to routines before they start travelling on the bus (usually 2 4 weeks), unless they have an older sibling or responsible older friend at school who can look after them. Waikaretu School is responsible for ensuring children travel safely on the school bus in the morning and afternoon. This requires parents/caregivers of children travelling on the school bus to fill in a booking form that clearly outlines for the school: The child s full name The days of the week the child will travel on the bus Where their child will embark and disembark from the bus What the arrangements are for their child once they disembark from the bus A bus roll is kept at the counter of the office. Permission forms for extra children travelling on the bus or absence notices for children not travelling that day will be attached to the bus roll each day. Children are checked off each afternoon (present or absent) before they travel on the bus with extra children added. The Principal or Board Chair will travel on the bus once a term to review the route and check the places all children embark and disembark from the bus.
Casual Use Casual travel on the school bus is allowed. However, parents must book their child on this bus by 12 noon of the day they will use the bus. They need to provide the school office with the following information: Child s full name Where the child will disembark from the bus What the arrangements are for their child once they disembark from the bus An emergency contact number for the parent or caregiver Only authorised persons (as noted on your child s beginning of year information forms) are permitted to request the above change. Parents and caregivers will receive a copy of bus procedures at the beginning of the year. All parents new to Waikaretu School will also receive a copy of the bus procedures. Student Code of Conduct All students and parents are to sign a Student Code of Conduct. Embarking and Disembarking Parents when dropping children off at the bus stop by car, will park and walk them to the bus stop. Children need to wait in the designated place well back from the road. They wait until the bus has stopped before approaching the bus. Carrying bags in front of them means the bag will not get caught in the door. Children are to stay seated until the bus has stopped. Carrying bags in front of them means the bag will not get caught in the door. Wait well back from the road until the bus has moved well away If the child needs to cross the road, do so safely once the bus has moved away and once the child can see clearly up and down the road. Children 10 years and under must be met by a parent or caregiver at the drop off point. Travelling on the Bus All children will be required to wear seatbelts at all times. Preschoolers travelling on the bus are to be restrained in accordance with New Zealand NZTA regulations and guidelines and accompanied by a designated adult. Bus Behaviour Students travelling on a bus may continue to do so while they behave in a reasonable and safe manner. The following behaviour is expected of students to ensure the bus is a safe place for everyone: Children must sit down straight away and remain in the same seat for the whole journey. Absolutely NO eating or drinking on the bus. Children are to be polite when speaking to each other and the driver. Children are to respect all property including the bus at all times (i.e. no standing on seats). Children are to listen to and follow the requirements and instructions of the bus driver, teachers and bus monitors at all times.
Children are not to engage in any behaviour that could put other passengers, the driver or themselves at risk. Children are to wear seatbelts while the bus is in operation. Any purposeful damage caused by a child or children to the bus will result in a bill for the cost of repairs to the child s family. All students and parents are to sign a code of conduct. If this code of conduct is broken the following process occurs: Generally the bus driver will remind the child of the bus rules and compliance will occur (stage one). Repeated minor offences, misbehaviour or unsafe behaviour will be reported to the bus controller (stage two). Parents will be informed and a daily reporting system will be put in place for one week. If no improvement is evident after one week, or further incidents, or serious misbehaviour occurs, an interview will be arranged between the student, parents and school. If there is still no improvement, travel on a school bus will be withdrawn and the child will be required to find alternate transport to school. The withdrawal may be for a specified time or permanently. Bus Monitors Bus monitors will be appointed and will; Be senior students Act responsibly and reliably Live near the end of the run Participate in training Assist new students Bus Controller A bus controller plays a vital role in the provision of school transport. Bus controllers are the main point of contact within a school regarding transport and are responsible for bus route administration and safety. The bus controller for Waikaretu School is the Principal. Bus Driver Code of Conduct Drivers must be over 20 years of age and have at least 2 years driving experience with a full class 1 New Zealand license. Drivers licenses are to be sighted and recorded by the school on an annual basis. Notice must be given to the bus controller by the driver of any suspension or disqualification from driving. It is the intention of the Waikaretu School Board of Trustees that all main and back up drivers will have a passenger endorsement as well as a current full NZ license and be first aid trained. It is NZTA regulation that all employed drivers have a passenger endorsement. Driver health: Drivers must not suffer from any chronic or recurrent medical condition or complaint, disability or impairment to the extent that it would affect the ability to drive passengers safely.
Driving hours: The driver of a school bus must not drive for a continuous period of more than 5 1/2 hours. This is the maximum driving time and drivers are encouraged to have a break more regularly than this. Driving and teaching (school) hours should also not exceed eleven hours in a day. Drivers are not permitted to drive a school bus if they have consumed alcohol in the preceding 12 hours, nor if they are taking medication for which they are advised not to drive. Driver Set a positive example for students. Ensure students are aware of rules and responsibilities as passengers. If a student demonstrates inappropriate or unsafe behaviour use the Safe Behaviour on Buses Reference Guide. Take note of and provide information to the school bus controller regarding any incidence of inappropriate or unsafe behaviour as soon as possible. Pick up and deliver students as per a set schedule. Operate the school bus in a safe and efficient way according to all relevant legislation, policies and procedures. Ensure all students are wearing seatbelts at all times when the vehicle is in operation. Prior to each time of operation, the driver should visually inspect the vehicle, in particular the tyres to check they are properly inflated. Clean the bus as scheduled and/or more regularly if required. Ensure the bus is safely and securely stored. The bus is to remain locked at all times when not in use. Advise the Bus Controller of any requirements for maintenance or repairs. Complete the log book carried in the bus to show the details of trips undertaken, driver name and any maintenance requirements. Vehicle The bus is required to be registered and licensed for the road at all times and have a current warrant of fitness, and be covered by at least third party property insurance. The bus will be regularly serviced and a maintenance record is to be kept at school for each vehicle. Maintenance records are to show the date, nature of service carried out and the name of the service provider. A log book is to be carried in the bus to show the details of trips undertaken, driver name and any maintenance requirements, also date maintenance attended to and by whom. A sample of a log book page is attached. All operations of the bus are to be for the purpose of the school unless otherwise authorized by the bus controller. Route Review The Bus Route is determined by the Board of Trustees. Travel time, running expenses, driver availability and bus safety are all taken in to consideration when determining the bus run. FAQs How do I get my child registered on the bus?
Contact the school office and let them know you want your child to start on the bus, and if they will need a buddy to help them. Collect the bus information and documentation from the office, fill in the necessary forms and return. Who will help my child catch the bus in their first week? Your child will be assigned a buddy, this may be an older brother or sister. What do I do if my child is not travelling on a day they are booked for? Either phone, pop in to the office, or send a note to school with your child so they can be marked off the bus roll. The office needs to be advised of this by 12noon or your child will be expected to travel on the bus. If you wish your child to stay at school to be picked up rather than going home on the bus, you must advise before 12pm. How do I know what time the bus comes in the morning or after school? A timetable is available at the School Office. Also check with your neighbours if you are new to the area. Can I contact the bus driver directly? Contact is to be made through the school office or the bus controller. What happens if there is an accident? As soon as the school is aware of any incident they will make immediate contact with parents to advise of the situation and the procedures in place. What if I want a review of the bus run? This is reviewed by the Board of Trustees. This Policy will be reviewed annually.