Student Transport

Buses

Bus services are provided for the School to ensure the safe transport of students to and from school. The State government provides free bus transport for most of our students through a School Travel Pass. The School Travel Pass gives eligible school students free travel to and from home and school on approved bus services during the school term. Students with a disability who cannot travel to and from school under the School Student Transport Scheme may be eligible for assistance under the Assisted School Travel Program. Please get in touch with the School for more information.

For more information and how to apply, please visit Transport NSW. Students are required to show their Travel Pass and only use their bus pass for the direct journey to and from the address as shown on their bus pass. If you move house, you must apply for a new bus pass.

Students are also expected to behave appropriately whilst travelling to and from school. Any concerns regarding the bus services should be directed to Busways Port Macquarie. Concerns regarding student conduct on buses should be directed to the Head of School. Up to date timetables may be obtained from the Busways website.

Rural students can also apply for a School Drive Subsidy. Individual families need to decide which is the best option for their particular circumstances.

Bicycles

There are many benefits gained from riding a bicycle to and from school. It is a great way for students to stay active and gain a sense of age-appropriate independence. Riding to school helps to reduce traffic congestion and lowers our community’s carbon footprint. It is also a great opportunity for parents to talk to their children about road safety and how this applies to cycling. However, in making a decision regarding your child riding to school there are some important factors to consider.

We want our students and community to be safe so students must:

• wear a well-fitted and Australian and New Zealand Standards approved helmet

• understand and follow the road rules including ride to the left on footpaths and roads, give pedestrians right of way on footpaths, and watch out for cars entering or leaving driveways

• walk their bike through the Kiss and Drop Zone 

• park their bike in the bicycle racks outside the Iona Sports Centre and make sure it is marked and consider using a padlock

Primary aged students are safest when they are supervised by an adult when riding. Children under 16 are permitted to ride on the footpath unless there are signs prohibiting cycling, as are any supervising adults. Riding together with your child gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to help children learn to ride appropriately until they are ready to make safe decisions independently. Safety advice from Transport NSW is that children under the age of 10 should be actively supervised when riding a bike on or adjacent to roads.

For older children, think carefully about the following when judging their ability to ride on their own:

• How safe is the travel route?

• What are their riding skills like?

• How aware are they of their surroundings in the traffic environment?

• How well can they manage unexpected hazards?

Wheel safety is taught as part of the PDHPE K-10 syllabus including a focus leading up to and during Year 2 Camp Out. Transport NSW also provides useful advice for parents regarding Safety on Wheels, as does the NSW Government’s Safety Town website. 

Walking

Walkers must enter the school using allocated footpaths and gates. It is preferred if our Kindergarten to Year 2 students are in the company of a parent/caregiver or older sibling when walking to school.

Student Drivers

Licensed students who wish to drive to school must complete a Student Driver Request Form. Students who wish to be driven to or from school by a student driver must complete a Student Passenger Request Form. These forms are available from the Secondary School Office. Parking arrangements will be as directed by the Head of Secondary School.