Should you require more information about this or any other policies
please contact the Principal at principal@westeyreton.school.nz

School Policy Index

Transportation Safety Procedures

 

West Eyreton’s Safe School Vision

West Eyreton School aims to be a nurturing place where all people are respected, appreciated and understood.
 

Guidelines:

The school will

  • promote safe travel to and from school

  • provide road safety education programmes

  • make every effort to ensure parents are informed of safe travel practices promoted by the school

  • follow the school’s EOTC Risk Management procedures when planning trips.

School Safety Procedures:


(A) Cycling Safety
 

NOTE: If children are cycling to school parents are responsible for:-

(a) The roadworthiness of the cycle.

(b) The child's competency in handling the cycle.

(c) The child's competency in understanding and applying basic road rules.

  1. The school supports the Ministry of Transport statement "Children under the age of 9 are often not able to cycle safely on roads" and discourages children under this age from riding to school unless accompanied by an adult.

  2. Safe cycling practice will be promoted through the delivery of a variety of educational programmes, including the Police Safe Cycling Programme which will be taught every second year.

  3. The school will recommend that children use designated cycle-ways for the purpose of cycling to and from school.

  4. The Board of Trustees will keep communication lines open to the Waimakariri District Council in reference to the maintenance and creation of cycle-ways.

  5. The Principal may prohibit the use of an unsafe cycle or prohibit a child from riding for a specific time if unsafe cycle behaviour is noted.

(B) Walking Safety

Safe walking practice will be promoted through a variety of educational programmes, including the Police Safe Walking Programme which will be taught every second year to junior children. (Those under 9 yrs).

(a) The roadworthiness of the cycle.

(b) The child's competency in handling the cycle.

(c) The child's competency in understanding and applying basic road rules.

(C) Bus Safety

  1. All children must be seated where there are seats available.

  2. Children who are not normally passengers must have Bus Controller consent.

  3. All children must know, understand and carry out the bus rules.

  4. Children must remain clear of the bus prior to boarding and after disembarking.

  5. The bus driver must report any misconduct to the bus controller immediately.

  6. The Principal may prohibit a child from using the bus for misconduct.

  7. The duty teacher will check children on to the bus each afternoon and will follow up any messages from parents or queries regarding travel home. A roll will be kept of children travelling on the bus.

  8. If alternative after school arrangements are made for children, parents must contact the school prior to the end of the school day.

(D) Road Safety Outside the School

  1. Parents and caregivers will be advised to park on the school side of the road when
    transporting children to and from school.

  2. Parents will be advised to collect children from inside the school gate so that no child is expected to cross the road to a waiting, parked vehicle outside the school grounds.
     

(E) Safety After School

  1. Non-bus children should leave the grounds by 3.15 p.m. unless prior arrangements are made with the Principal. ( Supervision cannot be guaranteed after this time.)

  2. If alternate after school arrangements are made for children, parents should notify the school of these arrangements.
     

(F) Safe Travel on School Trips

  1. Travel arrangements form part of the school’s EOTC risk management procedures and will be approved by The Principal, or in the case of high risk activities, by the BOT.

  2. At all times the safety of the children will be of paramount concern. In weighing up travel options, bus travel will be the preferred option but consideration will be also be given to the following factors: cost, number of children travelling, availability of parents, parent support necessary for the trip, distance to be travelled, parking arrangements at the destination, and other risk-management considerations.

  3. The teacher leading the trip will carry a cell phone and first-aid equipment.

  4. Parents will be informed of transport options, and as part of school risk management procedures they give permission for their children to participate on school trips.

  5. Transport Safety arrangements will be followed as per the school’s EOTC Risk management procedures

  6. Teachers responsible for EOTC outings will ensure that they are fully informed of any medical, safety and contact details regarding the children taking part in the event.
    Parents providing transport on school trips must: (see Risk Management procedures- Final check form)

    • complete the Transport Safety form (see Risk Management Procedures) and in doing so will verify that they meet the requirements of the law. (Cars are warranted, and registered, and that they have a current drivers' licence.)

    • have school safety procedures explained to them before leaving school.

    • have directions and responsibilities explained to them.

    • check that children have the seatbelts on correctly.

    • embark and disembark their passengers from the footpath side of their vehicle. If circumstances require the children to cross the road an adult must accompany them.

NOTE:
For other relevant information see West Eyreton School EOTC risk management procedures.

Page updated May 6th 2006