What is a Walking School Bus?

From the Deputy Head of College, Mark Case

Traffic Management

As the 2024 school year comes to an end and in reflecting on the year, I would like to express my gratitude to all parents, grandparents and all other unofficial ‘family taxi services’ for adjusting to our Traffic Management Plan this year. It represented a significant change at Oxley in how we manage peak traffic times, but with the support of the school community we have significantly reduced our traffic issues at drop off and pick up times, and improved the safety for all.

I will be reminding all parents/carers of our traffic management procedures prior to the start of the new school year. You will also be issued with an updated dashboard sign to be displayed when you arrive for pick up in the afternoons.

Walking School Bus

In the new year we will be conducting a survey of Oxley families who live in Burradoo to canvas interest in ‘Walking School Bus’: a group of children walking to school with adult supervision. This initiative is designed to promote a healthier, safer, and more environmentally friendly way for our children to travel to and from school. ‘Stay Fit’ is part of our Wellbeing Framework and so walking to and from school is a great way to apply this. In addition to cardiovascular health, there is evidence that walking boots mood and concentration levels during the day. Indeed, studies even show that students who walk to school experience lower stress and higher levels of happiness and relaxation during the school day.  A Walking School Bus would also reduce traffic on local roads, decreases our collective carbon footprint and help to build a sense of community. You will hear more about this in early 2025.

Mobile Device Policy 2025

A reminder of important changes to this policy in 2025, specially that students below Year 9 in 2025 (and below Year 10 in 2026) will not be permitted to bring a smartphone to school, or to any school event. If you missed it in the previous newsletter, please click here to see the article – it contains important information about the changes, including information about parent/carer communication with children during the school day.  

Yours sincerely

Mr Mark Case
Deputy Head of College