Shoal Bay Public School

Excellence through Effort

Telephone02 4981 1007

Emailshoalbay-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Documents for parents

General Documents

Medical Documents

Keeping school children safe in and around the bus

School bus lights

  • Buses use signs and orange flashing wigwag lights to warn other drivers that they are picking up or setting down school children. The lights begin to flash when the bus stops and the doors are opened.
  • They keep flashing for about 20 seconds after the doors close and continue even after the bus moves off.
  • Drivers of vehicles must not drive past the bus in the same direction at more than 40 km/h while the lights are flashing - there may be children crossing or about to cross the road.

Staying seated on the bus

  • Please remind your child that if they are seated on a bus, it is important to stay seated and do not move around the bus unnecessarily. If there is a need to stand, remain behind the front passenger seat and keep a secure hand hold at all times. Sitting down and facing forward helps to be prepared in the event of the bus having to stop quickly.
  • *Moving around the bus also causes distraction to the driver. This makes it unsafe for everyone in and around the bus.

Giving way to buses

  • In built up areas, vehicles are required to give way to buses that are stopped or moving slowly and have their right direction indicator on.
  • For this rule, 'give way' means the driver must slow down and, if necessary, stop to allow the bus to pull out. 

Children crossing the road

  • Your child is most at risk in the minutes after getting off the bus. You can reduce this risk. Meet your child at the bus stop, never on the opposite side of the road. Teach them to wait until the bus has driven away before choosing the safest place to cross the road.
  • It is recommended that, until your child turn ten, hold hands as you cross the road.

Opal passes

  • School Opal Passes are valid for travel to and from school only.
  • Of a morning, bus drivers are not authorised to drop students anywhere other than the school, e.g. not at the local shopping centre.
  • Weekends & Public Holidays - Full-time senior secondary students who are aged 16 years and older should apply for a NSW senior secondary student

Anti Bullying Plan

Students should use the 3 T strategy if bullying occurs:

  • Tell them to stop
  • Turn and walk away
  • Talk to someone about the problem.

Parents should see their child's class teacher to report bullying behaviour.

Bullying is: repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.

Conflict or fights between equals or single incidents are not defined as bullying.

By working together we can stop bullying in our school.

Bystanders should assist the victim by standing up for them and/or getting an adult. 

Staff, student and parent responsibilities

School staff:

  • respect and support all members of the school community
  • model and promote appropriate behaviour
  • have knowledge of school policy relating to bullying behaviour.
  • respond in a timely manner to incidents of bullying

Students:

  • respect and support school staff, other students, parents and community mernbers
  • behave appropriately, respecting individual differences and diversity
  • behave as responsible digital citizens
  • follow the school plan
  • behave as responsible bystanders
  • report incidents of bullying

Parents:

  • respect and support all members of the staff community
  • support their children to become responsible citizens
  • be aware of the anti-bullying plan and assist their children in understanding bullying behaviour
  • support their children in developing positive
  • responses to incidents
  • report incidents of school related bullying behaviour to the school
  • work with the school to resolve incidents of bullying

What to do if your child is being bullied and how parents and carers can respond:

  • listen calmly and get the full story
  • reassure your child
  • ask your child what they want to do and what they want you to do
  • learn some strategies to talk with your child
  • contact the school
  • check in regularly with your child 

What to do if your child is bullying others and how parents and carers can respond:

  • Focus on positive solutions
  • Talk with your child
  • Explain why bullying is unacceptable
  • Consider what else might be happening for your child
  • Teach conflict resolution skills
  • Discuss behaviours with the school