Approximately 70% enrolment of Maffra Secondary College consists of bus travellers.

Since safety and the related factor of behaviour on the buses are paramount importance, the following information and rules should be thoroughly understood by both parents and the students who use school buses.

Boarding, travelling on and leaving the bus:

1. Wait well off the roadway for the bus and UNTIL it has STOPPED, remain well clear of the bus.

2. Whilst waiting for buses, students should understand that the usual school rules regarding behaviour still apply.

3. Enter and leave the bus ONLY when it is stationary. When getting ready to leave a bus, students should wait for the bus to stop before leaving their seats.

4. Seat belts must be worn where fitted. It is a legal requirement just as in the car.

5. No part of the body should protrude from the bus, nor should anything be thrown from it.

6. Leaving a bus requires the traveller to remain on the edge of the road until the bus has departed, allowing a clear view of the road in both directions.

7. Behaviour on the bus is to be sensible and thoughtful of others. This means quiet conversations and remaining in seats is expected. The bus captain is the student’s representative during the bus journey and as such, carries the authority to supervise the travellers, in conjunction with the driver. Unruly behaviour may lead to a seating plan on buses.-

According to the DSE Memorandum ‘contract school bus service is a privilege not a right’. Any travellers who disregards a request from a bus traveller or bus driver will be disciplined by the school which can lead to suspension from travelling on this service.

8. Allocation of students to the buses and seating arrangements is the responsibility of the school. Where more than one bus travels to the same destination, and traveller numbers on those buses become exhausted, it may become necessary for some of the travellers to be moved from one bus to another.

9. When a student is allocated a bus seat, this means that they have had the schools approval to travel on that bus and at that specific location. The ONLY time a student can travel on an alternate bus is if there is a family separation. Both parents are to have a signed application to travel form.

10. If a student needs to get off at a different stop on their regular bus - a letter can be written from the parent stating date, time, reason and signature. A temporary bus pass will be given - but must be on each occasion.

These rules are in place to keep our students and the community safe.

Situations where bus services may be cancelled:

1. COVID related staff shortages may result in the cancellation of bus services at short notice. Where this occurs, the Department’s Student Transport Unit will support schools with communications to families and return services to normal operation as soon as practicable.

2. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RULE - ON A CODE RED DAY, ALL COUNTRY NETWORK BUSES WILL BE CANCELLED

Conditions of Travel

To ensure the safety of all passengers on school buses, the following conditions apply at all times.

To ensure safe travel on school buses, students must agree to the following:

• Not to play on the road at the bus stop or try to get on the bus before it has stopped.

• Make sure you and your belongings are inside the bus at all times.

• Not throw anything from a bus window or have anything hanging out a window.

• Place bags and other belongings in the allocated storage areas.

• Get on and off the bus quietly and in an orderly manner.

• Stay in your seat while the bus is moving.

• Not distract drivers with screaming, shouting or unruly behaviour.

• When you get off the bus only cross the road when the bus has left and it is safe to do so.

• No dangerous or flammable goods are allowed on the bus, for example aerosol cans.

• Travel on the bus service allocated to you, to and from your approved bus stop only. Do not change to one that will take you to a sports or social event.

• Wear a seat belt where fitted.

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

• In the morning, arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to departure.

• Not eat, drink or smoke while on the school bus.

• In the morning, let the school and driver know if you will not be travelling home on the bus that day.

• Use a standard conversational tone and not use offensive language or call out to others on board or to passing traffic or people.

• Listen to the bus driver and bus captain. They are responsible for maintaining school bus safety and also have the authority to report any vandalism or misbehaviour including but not limited to bullying, teasing, or aggression.

• Leave your bike in a safe and secure place if riding to the bus stop. Public Transport Victoria and the Department of Education and Training are unable to accept responsibility for the safety of your bike.

• Behaving inappropriately on a school bus places the safety and wellbeing of all on board at risk.

Non-compliance with any of the above conditions may result in the following:

• The driver will stop the bus.

• The student’s name and full details of the breach will be recorded.

• The student will be transported to school or to their normal drop off.

• The breach will be reported to the coordinating principal.

• The coordinating principal will take disciplinary measures in accordance with the guidelines below.

• In rare and exceptional circumstances, and only as a last resort, drivers are authorised to eject passengers from a bus.

Following the report of a relevant incident, the coordinating principal may take the disciplinary action below:

• First offence – verbal warning to student.

• Second offence – written warning to parent/guardian.

• Third offence – one week suspension of student from school bus travel.

• Fourth offence – the student will not be allowed to travel on the school bus for the remainder of the year.

A serious offence that endangers other students, bus staff or property will result in immediate suspension.

Responsibilities of parents/guardians:

• Parents/guardians are responsible for transporting their children to and from authorised bus stops and their safety at the bus stop while waiting for the bus.

• Supervision is not provided at roadside stops. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children upon disembarking the afternoon service.

• Parents waiting for bus passengers at a roadside bus stop should wait on the same side of the road as the bus to prevent accidents.

• School bus travel is a privilege and not a right and consequences will follow a breach of these conditions.

• It is understood that bus travel is provided and accepted on these conditions.

Emma Daymond

Finance Officer/ First Aid Administration

Maffra & District Bus Coordinator

Maffra Secondary College

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