School Bus Travel

Dear Parents

As of the 29^th of April 2019, students travelling on a school bus to and from school are required to have a valid school bus pass for the school bus service they are catching. If a valid school pass cannot be shown a fare will be charged. In the event the school bus pass is lost, some form of student ID is to be shown whilst obtaining a replacement pass (fees apply). You can help make your child’s school bus journey more pleasant by ensuring your child has a valid school bus pass and presents it to the driver on boarding the bus morning AND afternoon. Parents are reminded that the School Free Travel is only valid from home to school as per the conditions on the back of the pass. Fares will be charged for all other journeys.

If you are yet to apply for a bus pass or your details have changed eg: address, please go to www.transportnsw.info/school-students alternatively you can call the transport info line on 131 500.

If you have any questions in regards to the correct school bus for your child to catch, please contact the appropriate company:

Kennedy’s Bus Service: Ph: 4421 7596

Nowra Coaches: Ph: 4423 5244

Shoal Bus: Ph: 4423 2122

Stuart’s Coaches: Ph: 4421 0332

PEER SUPPORT

During Term 2 Year 7 students will be working through the Strengthening Connections Module of the Peer Support Program. This module focuses on anti-bullying through building a better understanding of relationships. Each fortnight, groups of 8-10 students will meet with 2 Peer Leaders and work through a range of activities that focus on building connections and addressing a range of behaviours including the prevention of bullying. Meeting in small groups allows meaningful connections to form, assisting students with the transition to secondary school. Over the term students will acknowledge their strengths and learn skills to build resilience, identify how to develop, maintain and repair friendships, develop understanding of a range of behaviours including bullying and learn strategies in order to respond appropriately in a variety of situations.

Peer Support utilises a strengths based approach to build social and emotional skills for adolescent development. This week students have the opportunity to explore the positive things in their lives. They identify their strengths and achievements and also the people who support them. This is intended to provide a strong sense of purpose and affirmation. Consideration of their character strengths helps to build a strong sense of self. Character strengths help provide accurate descriptions of their best attributes and in turn can shape how they behave towards others. Your child may, at times, feel overwhelmed, by the expectations and broad array of relationships and situations at secondary school. Sharing some of the topics that they are doing at school can build a supportive bridge between home and school and help allay any concerns that they may have about secondary school. Discuss with them what they learned during Peer Support and encourage and reinforce their character strengths. Some of these may include happiness, kindness, patience, perseverance, honesty and good judgement.