A BIG THANK YOU TO PARENTS!

A big thank you to parents for their tolerance and understanding as our bus runs settle. There may still be some minor changes to times in the coming weeks as our prep students start attending fulltime and accessing the buses on the afternoon runs.

We would like to remind parents of some aspects of the bus service:

1. Attendance at a specialist school does not automatically entitle a student to transport assistance or preclude parents/guardians from being primarily responsible for their child’s transport arrangements.

2. If a student changes residential address, a new application must be made to the school Once an application is approved, parents/guardians need to be aware that access to the transport service is not immediate and it may take up to 10 working days during the school year, or longer (subject to vehicle capacity) before their child can access the service. During this time, parents/guardians are responsible for their child’s transport arrangements.

3. A bus route may not be varied, except in an emergency, without the approval of the STU (Student Transport Unit)

4. Parents/guardians are required to:

ensure their child is at the pick-up point at least five minutes prior to the departure time
ensure they are waiting for their child at the drop-off point at least five minutes prior to the arrival time unless the student’s travel plan confirms the student may travel home independently from the drop-off point
provide any specialised travel equipment required during transit

5. The Department may require parents/guardians to seek alternative transport arrangements if their child poses a health or safety risk to other students, staff and/or property on a service.

6. Parents/guardians must communicate any concerns directly to the school and not bus operators, except in the following circumstances:

in the event of absence of their child from the morning bus run
in the event of an emergency

Should you wish to discuss this or any other aspect of the school bus service, please ring the school.

Students with Disabilities Transport Program (SDTP)

The Department of Education and Training’s Students with Disabilities Transport Program (SDTP)

provides daily transport assistance to 9,000 students attending specialist schools in Victoria.

The Department considers the safety of students to be of paramount importance, and in 2017 the

Student Transport Unit (STU) undertook a comprehensive review of the SDTP to improve and

strengthen the standard of service delivery and safety for students.

Ensuring that the SDTP policy is applied fairly and consistently and that all records are maintained and up to date is key to the provision of a safe, efficient service.

All requests for transport or changes to existing transport arrangements must be authorised by the school (and in certain cases STU) and approved by the relevant bus operators. This process can take some time so we would ask that families provide as much notice as possible when submitting requests. If you are moving and will require transport from a new address a new application for transport is required and we will need a minimum of two weeks notice. Requests regarding bus stops may be processed within a shorter time frame but notice is still required.

Please be aware that even with sufficient notice, not all requests can be accommodated as many of our buses are already operating at full capacity. Requests for temporary changes cannot usually be accommodated.

Please note: Families transitioning to NDIS may have noticed a dollar amount for transport appearing on their plan. Information about this is included elsewhere in this newsletter.

Requests for Changes to Student Transport Arrangements

Are you moving?

Parents are reminded that any requests for changes to transport arrangements must be made in writing through the school. Following a change of address, families must reapply for transport assistance and access to a bus from the new address cannot be guaranteed. Parents should also be aware that even if a seat is available , door to door pick-up and drop-off may not be possible except in extraordinary circumstances and students may be offered access to a bus at one of the existing stops. While we make every effort to accommodate changes we cannot guarantee access, particularly if a change necessitates a change of bus, as many of our buses are full. Any change may take up to 10 days to process as changes require approval from the service provider and DET Student Transport Branch.

*Please note: Temporary changes to pick-up and drop-off points cannot be accommodated. Please do not attempt to make arrangements with bus staff as they do not have the authority to make changes.

TREASURE TICKET WINNERS

Keep up the great work following our school rules in the playground!