RATIONALE

The obligation to transport students to school rests with the parents/caregivers, (some families may be eligible for the government Conveyance Allowance. These are those that tend to live out of town and are not on an existing bus route) but the Southland Adventist Christian School as an integrated school provides a cost effective bus service that caters for as many students as possible at a cost stipulated by the School Board.

The bus will also be available for school excursions and camps.

The bus may be hired out to selected private groups at the discretion of the School Board.

PURPOSE

• To provide the students with a well co-ordinated, viable and safe bus service to and from school

• To provide transport for school trips

SCHOOL BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The School Board is responsible for the following matters:

1. The appointment of Bus Drivers. To encourage a staff member to have a current bus drivers licence. This is so they can be available to drive for school trips on a voluntary basis. Costs involved may be negotiated with the Board. This staff member may need to be agreeable to act as an emergency back up if the driver(s) is not available.

2. Setting the bus fees. To ensure there is an efficient billing system in place and that fees are paid. Non payment may result in not being allowed to continue using the service.

3. Attend to the maintenance of the bus and ensure the payment of wages, insurance, registration, Road User Charges, COF and fuel expenses are paid and attended to, on time.

4. To ensure that parents/caregivers and students have a copy of the bus rules and conditions and that the ‘Agreement’ section is filled in and filed.

5. Ensuring that the guidelines/rules for passengers are adhered to. Final responsibility for acceptable behaviour rests with the parents. However the Principal is to be responsible for all discipline matters and along with the School Board, reserves the right to suspend or expel students from the bus (in consultation with the parents/caregivers).

6. To ensure the Health & Safety school programme will include aspects of bus safety.

7. That the service remains financially viable and for making decisions if it is not. Ensure that yearly income meets the day to day expenses including insurance, Registration, Warrant of Fitness, Road User charges, fuel; the driver’s wages and vehicle replacement. Be prepared to refuse a door to door service if it is deemed to be unviable or add too much time onto the bus run. They may need to meet the bus at a closer stop.

8. Liaise with official government/local persons regarding regulations including new road rules, vehicle requirements etc.

9. Ensure that the rules and regulations for bus transport are followed as set by the Education Act 2020.

10. Plan and find a replacement vehicle when required.

11. Ensure the students are physically and emotionally safe while using the bus.

FINANCIAL

1. Courtesy (free) transport is acceptable only with the approval of the Principal.

2. Bus accounts to be sent out by the school Office Administrator by the 2nd week of each term.

3. Continuous non-payment may result in suspension or expulsion from the bus service. This decision is to be made by the School Board.

4. If any child is found to be vandalising the bus, that parent/caregiver will be held responsible for the cost of repairing the damage.

 PARENT COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL

• Parents are to advise the school immediately there is any change in plans concerning pick up and drop off.  A message left on the answerphone does not constitute a change of plan as staff are not always able to check the messages before the bus leaves.

• The driver WILL drop children off at the designated address according to the bus timetable unless he/she has been personally notified by the school or the parent to do otherwise

• Please contact the school to make any changes as early as possible – the driver may also be contacted by cell phone – contact the school Office Administrator for the number

• Parents and students must report any bus issues as soon as they arise

• Speak to your child regularly about your and the school’s expectations about their behaviour on the bus and the importance of the safety for everyone. Ask questions and try not to jump to conclusions – your child may be part of the issue.

• Speak to the bus driver in the first instance if you have a concern about any behaviour on the bus – he/she is the person on the spot and can most likely clarify the situation and modify any behaviour

• Phone the Principal if you are still not satisfied

Bus User Agreement

PARENT / CAREGIVER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensure the children are aware of the Bus Rules.

2. Ensure the children are on time. The bus will not wait.

3. All students using the bus must pay through the school accounting system. It is the parent/caregiver's responsibility to ensure payments are keep up to date. Continuous non-payment will result in suspension or expulsion from the bus service.  This decision will be taken by the Principal and School Board.

4. If any student is found vandalising the bus, that parent / caregiver will be held responsible for the cost of repairing the damage.  Bus seats will be checked at the end of each day and any damage reported to the principal who will notify the parents by letter.

5. Messages regarding the transportation of your children should be given to the Bus Driver/School with sufficient warning. Please inform the driver if your children will not need to be picked up in the mornings.  This is common courtesy, and helps to keep the running costs and time down.

6. Any complaints regarding the Bus Driver will be in writing, to the Principal who will notify the School Board.

BUS ENTITLEMENT

Although students enrolling at the school are entitled to use the bus service, due to the number of students being higher than the seating in the bus, the school services are limited to the following:

• Students must reside within the following boundaries - Invercargill City Boundaries and be south of the Waihopai River, west of Racecourse Road, east of Bond Street and north of Stirrat Street.

• Any students outside these boundaries will only be considered if there is space available on the bus.

• Students wishing to use the bus service but who are currently not able to will be placed on a waiting list and given a place when available provided that they meet the above criteria.

• Bus usage will not be guaranteed year after year. At the end of each year, parents/caregivers must complete a registration form requesting the bus service. These will be processed and placed allocated accordingly.

BUS RULES

1. No students are to be on the bus without supervision 

2. All students will be given allocated seats and must remain in those seats at all times

3. Students are to obey the driver’s instructions

4. For safety reasons standing or moving about in the bus is not permissible

5. There should be no feet on the seats or seat backs of the seat in front of you.

6. No feet or bags in the passages - for safety and politeness.

7. No hands, elbows, feet etc., outside the windows.

8. No objects to be thrown out of the windows or in the bus.

9. No eating or drinking, this includes sweets and chewing gum.                   

10. No bullying.

11. No vandalism. This includes graffiti, and damaging seats.

12. At school students are to line up behind the gate waiting for the teacher/principal to take them to the bus. They will then be marked on the roll as they enter the bus.

13. With the permission of parent/caregiver, students may use a Mobile Device (phone, iPod, tablet etc.) when on the bus as long as the following conditions are adhered to:

    • The device is for personal use only

    • Any music/noises played from the device is through headphones

    • The use of the device is at the discretion of the driver - any misuse will result in the device being confiscated and passed on to the Principal

    • Any use fits the Christian Special Character of the school

    • When the student arrives at school, the device must be handed to the Principal

CONSEQUENCES

• Minor misdemeanours will be dealt with by the bus driver on the day

• Students excluded from the bus will have to find their own transport to school – there will be no alternative transport provided by the school

• Parents are responsible for the behaviour of their children on the bus and will be expected to discipline their children accordingly

• The Principal is to be responsible for all discipline matters and along with the School Board, reserves the right to suspend or expel students from the bus (in consultation with the parents/caregivers)

• The school bus policy clearly states that the school reserves the right to exclude students from the bus and this will be upheld

• The student may be stood down as a result of serious misconduct

CONCLUSION

The bus service represents the Southland Adventist Christian School. Everything the drivers and passengers do should reflect the Special Character of the school.

________________________________________________________________________________

I agree to the conditions and rules of the Southland Adventist Christian School Bus Service, and have ensured that my children are aware of the Bus Rules.

Parent /Caregiver Name................................................................................

Signature..............................................................................................................

Date........................................................................................................................

Please return to the school