From the Deputy Principal/Head of Senior School

In the Newsletter this week, I would like to provide some information about transport arrangements.

Firstly, some comments about bus transport. Parents would be aware from recent emails that the College has been in ongoing consultation with Busabout regarding the overcrowding of students on buses travelling to and from the College on the Camden bus routes. We have been notified that a survey of student numbers travelling on Bus 6017 will be taken on the morning of Monday 9 March. As stated previously, it is very important that each student boarding a bus uses their Opal Card to tap on and off for each journey, so that accurate numbers are recorded. The information gathered from this system is used to determine the demand for bus services. Please remind your children to use their Opal Cards every time they use the buses.

Following the survey of student numbers next week, assuming the demand for the additional services is justified by the number of students using the buses, Busabout will make a submission to Transport for NSW for additional services. The timeframe on a decision is unknown. However, the Depot Manager at Busabout has advised that he also uses records of phone calls and emails to justify the need for additional services. Accordingly, if your family is impacted by the issue of overcrowding on bus services to and from school, and your son or daughter catches a Busabout bus, you are encouraged to send an email to the following address to state your case and express any concerns - customerservice@busabout.com.au

We have also communicated with families about the issues involving delays in buses arriving at the College and arriving at their destination on time. A number of parents have contacted the College about the longer time taken by their sons and daughters to get home after school due to missing connections.  Whilst we recognise that this has created a number of problems for some students, many of the causes of these delays are beyond our control. For example, the timing of the arrival of buses in the afternoon is out of the control of the College. We load buses in the order that they arrive as students on any of the buses that leave the College may rely on following connections. If we give one bus priority, then students on another bus are disadvantaged, We will continue to take care and time to ensure that the loading of buses is done in an orderly manner so as to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students. Of course, we will take on board suggestions received, however, we will always place student safety and wellbeing as the priority.

Secondly, on the matter of car transport, the drop-off and pick-up arrangements at the Western Gate seem to have settled into a reasonably good pattern. Whilst there are peak times, particularly in the afternoons with some delays, there is a steady flow of traffic at most other times. However, in recent days there has been an increase in cars entering the Badgally Road entrance during the restricted times. A reminder that entry onto the College grounds by parents in private vehicles from the Badgally Road entrance is restricted to before 8.00am and after 3.30pm. As indicated in the letter sent to all parents by the Principal at the start of the year, no parents are permitted to enter or park in the top staff car park. For those small number of families that have been given permission to use the Badgally Road entrance, the drop off point is behind the College Chapel. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the western entrance is to be utilised for pick up and drop off. As most parents appreciate, these arrangements are purely for the safety and wellbeing of the students and staff and to allow for the movement of buses into the College grounds during the peak times. We seek the cooperation of all parents in maintaining a safe environment and thank the vast majority of families who follow these directions.  

Best wishes,

Mr Paul Brooks

College Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School