Dear families,

LONG WEEKEND

There will be no school for students on Monday and Tuesday next week. Monday is a Professional Practice Day and Tuesday is Cup Day Holiday.

CHANGES TO BUS TRAVEL

Several students have been confused this week as to whether they are travelling on the bus or not. Please notify your child’s classroom teacher via Xuno if your child is not to travel on the bus. If we are not notified of changes, your child will be put on the bus.

JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL

Just Dance was a huge success on Wednesday with over 45 students dancing their lunch time away. Many thanks to Teagan, Rachel and Liv for organising it.

WORLD KINDNESS DAY

Another one of JSC’s initiatives is to celebrate World Kindness Day. This will be on the 13th November. Students are encouraged to wear a colour of their choice. Please refer to our Sun Protection Policy for guidlines on appropraite clothing. On this day students can enjoy a sausage in bread and a Zooper Dooper. Orders are to be placed on Qkr!

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Our Sun Protection Policy was presented at School Council on Monday night for review. Changes have been made to reflect the feedback. A copy is attached.

We have booked Hill Top Golf Club for our School Council & Parents and Friends Dinner on Thursday 5th December commencing at 5.30pm.

PLAYGROUND

Families are welcome to use the school playground after hours. However we ask that the sandpit toys remain in the sandpit and if you are playing in the Frog Bog area you do not dismantle the huts that are there.

BUS SAFETY

Concerns have been raised about students not following the Bus Code of Conduct. We would appreciate if parents of students who travel on the bus would revisit these.

BUS CODE OF CONDUCT

RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

We believe that all children have a right to travel safely & comfortably on our school bus.

To achieve this right, all children have a responsibility to behave in a way to allow this to occur.

Rules for bus travel:

Make sure you are always standing off the road when waiting for the bus and strictly no playing on the road.
Make sure the bus has stopped completely before trying to get on.
Get on and off the bus quietly.
Stay in your seat while the bus is moving.
Stay in your seat until the bus stops.
Always wear a seat belt.
Sit in your allocated seat.
Keep your hands and feet out of the aisle.
Do not touch other people or their property.
No phone, cameras, speakers, or electronic devices on the bus
Do not distract drivers with shouting or unruly behaviour.
No throwing or rolling objects such as toy cars, drink bottles or shoes down the bus.
When you get off the bus only cross the road when the bus has left, and it is safe to do so.

To ensure students are considerate to one another and their bus driver, they must agree to:

• Not eating or drinking on the school bus.

• Use an inside voice, no calling out or offensive signs to passing traffic or people.

• Listen to the bus driver and bus captain. They are responsible for maintaining

school bus safety and have the authority to report any vandalism or misbehaviour including but not limited to bullying, teasing, or aggression.

• Let the bus captain, driver or teacher know if people are not following the rules.

CONSEQUENCES

Consequences are not punishment but a result of a previous action. Therefore, if a rule is broken there will always be a consequence in line with Student Welfare & Discipline Policy.

Consequences will depend on: Severity of behaviour, age, level of emotional & social maturity of the child.

The process involves:


First Incident	Verbal Warning
Second Incident	Written report /phone call to parent/carer
Third Incident	Two days suspension from travelling by bus
Forth Incident	Suspension from the travelling by bus for the remainder of the term, year or appropriate time determined by the principal.

Permission given by the parent is necessary for children to leave the bus at stops other than their own either via a written note or verbal communication with teacher/bus driver.

LONG SERVICE LEAVE.

Filippa returned from Long Service Leave today. A huge thank you to Maria Serra for replacing her. We love having her in our school. Dani is taking LSL until 11th November and Natalie is on leave from the 6th -25th November. Fortunately, we have been able to backfill with staff who are often working in our school.

Have a lovely weekend,

Regards Heather

GSSC