Assistant Principal’s Message

Some reminders

Our school processes are outlined in the College planner, however there are a number that I would like to bring to your attention:

Before school supervision

Staff are rostered to supervise the Piazza from 8.10am each morning

College Communication – Compass Portal

Most communication from the College will be shared via the Compass Portal. Please ensure you have access to Compass which will also be used for submitting absence notes, approving attendance at excursions and events, viewing your daughter’s profile, and accessing school reports. Please see Compass information here. As parents and students have different roles, they also have different access in Compass. We ask that you do not share your Compass password with your daughter.

Compass Guide link here.

Forgotten items

If your daughter forgets to bring something to school, it is not the end of the world! We ask that parents refrain from bringing forgotten items to school reception. It is very difficult to get these to students throughout the day. Instead your daughter should talk to her PC teacher or year coordinator and we can make arrangements.

Safe and respectful travel to and from school

The College would like to remind students that when they travel to and from school in uniform, they are representing the College. We want our students to be safe at all times, respectful of other passengers, and behave in a manner that is congruent with their family and school values. It would be appreciated if you could remind your daughter:

To be respectful of other passengers when travelling on buses and trains. A condition of their free concession fare is that they give up their seat for full fee paying adults. The Code of Conduct for buses is listed elsewhere in the newsletter.
Take care on train platforms. I had a report this week of students running close to the edge of the platform at Padstow Station. Students should stay behind the yellow line.
It is very congested leaving school in the afternoon. Please take care crossing the roads in front of the College and on Kingsgrove Road. Use crossings and pedestrian lights.
Be mindful of members of the public when walking to and from school – often students become engrossed in conversations with their friends and block the footpaths.

A REMINDER : CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS ON BUSES

It is every student’s responsibility to behave in a manner that ensures the safety and comfort of passengers and drivers. This includes:

Behaviour on buses:

Use appropriate language not offensive or racist language.
Fighting, spitting, feet on seats, throwing things in or from the bus is not permitted.
No eating or drinking (other than water) – unless for medical reasons or the bus operator gives written permission.
Offer seats to adults including people with a disability, elderly or expectant mothers.
Do not touch, push or shove other people.
Do not bully or harass other passengers or the driver. This includes photographing, making lewd or suggestive comments, acting in a manner or participating in activities that may be deemed inappropriate or of a sexual nature.
Avoid attracting the attention of the driver except in the case of emergency.
Do not play music at such volume that it may distract the bus driver or other passengers.

Safety on and near buses:

Obey reasonable directions from the driver (e.g. where to sit or to remain in the bus).
Remain in your seat – do not move around the bus unnecessarily.
If standing, remain behind the front passenger seat and keep a secure hand hold at all times.
Keep bags and other items clear of the aisle.
Do not allow any part of your body to protrude out of the bus at any time.
Wait for the bus in a quiet and orderly manner – including at bus interchanges
Stand away from the roadside until the bus comes to a complete stop.
Allow other passengers to leave the bus before stepping onto the bus in a single line.
Wait until the bus stops before moving to get off the bus at your designated stop.
Wait until the bus leaves the stop and you have clear vision before crossing the road.
Cross the road where and when it’s safe to do so, use crossings/traffic lights where available.

Legal considerations on buses:

Wear the seat belt properly adjusted and fastened, if one is available.
Obey the law that bans smoking on buses.
Ensure that buses are not vandalised – report any damage, e.g. graffiti and window etching, to the driver.
Do not interfere with bus property, equipment and signage.
Do not leave rubbish on the bus, or at bus stops or interchanges.

Using bus passes:

Show travel passes or tickets to the driver on boarding and to Authorised Revenue Protection Officers, NSW Police Officers or bus company representative when requested.
Use the travel pass only for its intended purpose – do not lend your pass to other students or borrow a pass from them.
Swipe or ‘dip’ passes in ticket readers if available when boarding.
If issued with a School Opal card, always tap on when boarding and tap off when leaving the bus.

Students must follow regulations when travelling between home and school using public transport. All students must behave in a manner that ensures both their comfort and safety and that of other passengers.

Disobeying these rules may lead to:

the withdrawal of school travel passes.
banning students from travelling on public transport.
police prosecution and court action.

School Drop-off and Pick-up Zone

For the safety of all our community I ask you to be aware of the following rules when dropping off or picking up your daughter from school. Sadly, I often see very poor behaviour from parents or others picking up students after school.

Our College in Bayside Council uses No Parking areas, signed as ‘Drop-off / Pick-up Zones’, ‘Kiss and Ride’, or ‘Kiss and Drop Zones’.

These areas are always on the school side of the road and are designated by ‘No Parking’ signs.
They provide a safe spot for parents and carers to drop off and collect their children from school by car. Drivers may drop off and pick up passengers legally within a two-minute timeframe. You cannot double park in this area.

No Parking signs

You can only stop in a ‘No Parking Zone’ while picking up or setting down passengers or goods.
You have a maximum of 2 minutes from the time you stop and must stay within 3 metres of your vehicle at all times.
If times of operation are shown on the sign, the restriction applies only at those times.
This is not a waiting area.
Fines Exceed $187 + 2 Demerit Points.

Bus Zones

A ‘Bus Zone’ is a ‘No Stopping Zone’ for vehicles other than buses. If times of operation are shown on the sign, the restriction applies only at those times.
You must not park your vehicle less than 20 metres before or 10 metres after a bus stop.
Fines Exceed $337 + 2 Demerit Points

U-turns

Performing U-turns or three-point turns in School Zones is extremely dangerous.
Performing U-turns across unbroken centre lines is illegal and is particularly dangerous around schools.
Fine Exceeds $337 + 3 Demerit Points.

Double parking

Do not double park at any time.
Double parking is illegal and dangerous, especially around schools.
It reduces visibility and blocks the road for other motorists.
Fines Exceed $337 + 2 Demerit Points.

Driveways and footpaths

When exiting or entering a driveway, a vehicle must give way to pedestrians on the footpath.
Driveways are not playgrounds.
Be aware that children can go unnoticed in front and behind your vehicle.
Do not solely rely on reverse sensors or cameras in your vehicle.
It is illegal to park in or across any driveway or to block a footpath at any time.
Fines Exceed $337 + 2 Demerit Points.

Visitor car park

Please do not block the driveway or park in the College visitor car park when dropping off or picking up your daughter.
This car park is for visitors who have appointments at the College only.

Some safer options for you and your family

Why not ask your daughter to meet you at Dowsett Park or in an adjoining street, away from the Bus Zones and crossings.
The College library is open until 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday. If you are able to delay picking up your daughter until after the buses leave, your daughter could complete homework while waiting for you.
If you do need to pick her up at the front of the College from 3:00 pm, please obey the parking signs and traffic rules.

I appreciate your support with these matters. If we can work together, all of our community will benefit.

Kind regards