Dear families

As we approach the end of Term 2, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the exciting events and important initiatives taking place this week at our school. It’s a busy time, and we appreciate your continued support and involvement in enriching our students' time at school. Below, you will find updates on various activities and important reminders for our school community.

School leaders attending Ryde Network Student Voice meeting

This week, our dedicated school leaders, Lily and Cullen, will participate in the Ryde Network Student Voice meeting. This initiative aims to empower students by giving them a platform to express their opinions and ideas regarding their educational experience and discuss an issue that affects our school. They have consulted with the SRC and are raising the issue of the lack of grass area for the students to play on in our school. Our leaders are excited to engage with peers from other schools, share best practices, and bring back valuable insights to enhance student involvement within our own school community.

Festival of Instrumental Music (FOIM)

We are thrilled to announce that our school will be participating in the Festival of Instrumental Music (FOIM) later this year. This prestigious event showcases the musical talents of students across NSW, providing them with the opportunity to perform in a collaborative setting and gain valuable experience. This week we have many schools from across NSW coming to our school to rehearse.

Instructional Rounds

As part of our commitment to fostering a culture of professional learning, we will be conducting Instructional Rounds this week. This process provides an opportunity for teachers to observe one another in the classroom, focusing on specific aspects of teaching and learning. We have teachers and principals from other schools, including Marsden High School, coming to our school as part of the rounds. By sharing observations and feedback, we aim to support each other in refining our instructional practices and enhancing student outcomes.

Staffing News

We would like to pass on our congratulations to a few of our staff members:

Miss Odetti, now Mrs Fisicaro, got married recently. KO will now be known as KF!
Mrs Houghton has welcomed her baby daughter and we wish her the very best as she begins a new chapter with her family

Travel to School

We would like to remind families of the importance of safe travel to school. Whether walking, cycling, or using public transport, please ensure that students are aware of road safety rules and travel guidelines. Encouraging our students to adopt safe travel practices not only keeps them safe but also promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. I always encourage parents to try and accompany students, who normally travel independently, to join them occasionally so they can witness and support their child’s safe behaviours.

Driveways

We have received communication from nearby residents. Please be mindful when pickup or dropping off your child at school. It is illegal to park in or across a driveway as this blocks the footpath, and/or the ability of residents to enter or leave their property.

Bus Issue

We are aware that many students are catching the 507 bus from Meadowbank Station towards Belmore Street. I ask parents to check with their child to see if they are catching this bus. We have noticed an increase in students catching the bus without Opal Cards and have had a couple of community complaints about behaviour. It’s essential that all students demonstrate respectful behaviour while travelling on public transport. We kindly ask parents to remind their children of the importance of carrying their Opal Cards and behaving respectfully to ensure a positive experience for everyone. Your support in reinforcing these expectations is greatly appreciated. I have included more information below to support parents to have this conversation with their child.

Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement in our school community. Let’s make the most of the remaining weeks of Term 2!

Guide for Student Behaviour on Buses

We have many students who catch a bus to get home. Many of these students catch the 507 bus from Meadowbank Station. Most of these students do not hold a valid bus pass/Opal Card. Many parents may not be aware that their child is catching this bus and are assuming that their child is walking (or riding their scooter) the short distance home.

I ask that you talk to your child to check if they are catching a bus. If so, they will need to hold a valid Opal Card. I also ask that you discuss the Student Behaviour on Buses Code of Conduct with your child and be aware of the responsibilities of students, parents and the principal.

Code of Conduct

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 push or shove other people
Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver
Avoid attracting the attention of the driver expect in the case of emergercy
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 hand hold 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 ar enot vandalised - report any damage e.g. graffiti and window etching, to the driver
Do not interfere with bus property, equipment and signage
Do not leave rubbish on the bus, or at the bus stops or interchanges

Using bus passes:

Show travel passes 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
Tap passes if available when boarding
If issued with a School Opal card, always tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving the buss

Roles and responsibilities

Students will:

• behave courteously and respectfully in accordance with the Code of Conduct

• follow reasonable instructions from the driver (e.g. to wear a seat belt properly adjusted and fastened, where one is available; where to sit or to remain in the bus when the driver is awaiting assistance from the NSW Police)

• report any unsafe behaviour to the driver/their school

Parents and carers are responsible for:

• ensuring that their child understands the Code of Conduct

• disclosing to the bus operator and school Principal any disability or personal circumstances that may affect the student’s behaviour and any plans or strategies to support students with particular needs to facilitate safe travel

• if meeting their child at the bus stop, never wait on the opposite side of the road

• communicating with the bus operator and school Principal to discuss their child’s misbehaviour and its consequences if the child’s behaviour has breached the Code of Conduct and the operator has requested a meeting

• treating bus operators and their employees respectfully and courteously

School Principals can support the Code of Conduct by:

• supplying the contact details of parents/guardians to bus operators if consultation between parents/guardians and the bus operator is necessary and consent has been provided to the Principal by the parents/guardians to disclose their contact details

• disclosing to the bus operator (only with the parents’/guardians consent) any disability or person-al circumstances that may affect the student’s behaviour, and any plans or strategies to support a particular student to facilitate safe travel

• providing assistance in managing breaches of the Code of Conduct in consultation with the relevant bus operator and parent/guardian

• display the Code of Conduct brochure on school noticeboards, in newsletters and student diaries

Consequences for breach of the Code of Conduct:

• depending on the degree of misbehaviour, students may have their pass suspended or may be refused travel on the bus for a period of time determined by the bus operator in accordance with these Guidelines

• heavier penalties may apply to students involved in dangerous or group misbehaviour

• school Principals have the right to take additional disciplinary action against a student under the school’s policies related to student behaviour for any breach of the Code of Conduct

• NSW Police may take action against students in the case of suspected criminal behaviour

Meadowbank TheirCare

June updates from Meadowbank TheirCare