Policies

BUS SERVICE POLICY

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

Suneden Specialist School provides a bus service for students to and from school each day.

Each bus is staffed by a driver and a Bus Assistant.

Safety on the Suneden bus service is of paramount concern. Bus travel may not be a suitable option for students who are unsettled or disruptive on the bus and Suneden Specialist School is under no obligation to transport all students. Difficulties which arise will be documented and then communicated to families either via the Bus Coordinator or the Principal.

Pick Up and Drop Off Times and Locations

The bus service operates within a set geographical zone which is subject to change each year depending upon student numbers and demographics. Students living outside of the zone will be able to access the service from a designated pick-up or drop-off point.

Pick up and drop off times and locations will be decided at the beginning of the school year but are subject to change throughout the year.

The school cannot guarantee pick up points if a family moves house. The proximity of the new house to the bus route will need to be considered. Parents contemplating moving house may like to discuss this with the Bus Coordinator.

 

 

Scheduled times for pickup and drop off can only be approximate due to traffic conditions and other considerations such as student absences. Parents should allow a generous 10 minute timeframe on either side of the designated times for bus arrival.

If a student is not able to board the bus within 5 minutes of the bus arriving, the bus will need to continue its route in order to maintain its schedule.

 

Parents are expected to notify the school of any day to day changes of their child’s use of the school bus e.g. due to illness or appointments. During school hours parents should contact the school directly by phone or email admin@suneden.sa.edu.au . At other times, parents should make contact via the bus phone.

Changes to student’s long term pick up or drop off may be able to be accommodated if they do not cause undue disruption to the set runs. Parents should provide as much notice as possible to increase the chance that the change can be accommodated.

 

Parents can make arrangements for a student to be dropped off at an unattended house. A signed consent from the parent/caregiver outlining the details of this arrangement must be obtained before this occurs. In such circumstances, the school advises that neither the school nor the Bus Assistant or driver can be held responsible for the student’s safety after the student has left their supervision.

 

 

Secure Seating

All students must wear a seat belt when travelling on the school bus. A harness or a ‘hug me band’ may be used to support students sitting safely, and seat belt guards may also be used where necessary. These will be supplied by the school and can only be used with a letter of permission from the student’s doctor.

 

 

Medication

Emergency medication such as Midazolam or an Epipen must travel with the student at all times in a locked section of their school bag. All other student medication should be handed directly to the Bus Assistant.

Due to the difficulty associated with administering midazolam whilst travelling on the bus, bus assistants will not administer midazolam to a student who has a seizure.

An ambulance will be called after 3 mins / 5 mins or in accordance with the student’s care plan.

Where an ambulance is called due to a prolonged seizure or any other medical emergency, the student will travel with the ambulance staff to the nearest hospital. Parents will be notified as soon as possible.

 

Other information

Students may use mobile phones or ipods on the bus for the purpose of listening to music through headphones. Students must not use mobile phones to contact other students or to make any calls.

Eating is not permitted on the school buses however students may access water in a drink bottle at the discretion of the Bus Assistant.

 

 

 

 

SUNEDEN SPECIALIST SCHOOL

ILLNESS AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

 

Suneden Specialist School is committed to providing a safe environment for students that minimises their risk of contracting viruses and bacterial infections. As such, it is expected that students enrolled at Suneden and their families will follow the guidelines outlined below.

 

Exclusion of ill students or staff

Suneden Specialist School follows the exclusion guidelines for contagious diseases as set out by SA Health. These exclusion periods can be found on the SA Health website www.sahealth.sa.gov.au and are based on the guidelines issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Exclusions apply to conditions such as diarrhoea, head lice, school sores, scabies, chicken pox, ring worm, mumps, rubella, measles, meningococcal infection, whooping cough and conjunctivitis.

 

Students who are unwell

Students who are presenting with illnesses or diseases which are not included on the list of SA Health exclusions may be required to produce a doctor’s certificate explaining the condition, its risks and its management and are expected to be kept home until their symptoms have improved.

Students suffering from high temperature, vomiting, or who are otherwise unwell are also expected to be kept at home until their symptoms have improved.

Students who are unwell whilst at school will be sent home. If parents are unable to be contacted, an emergency contact will be called.  Students awaiting collection will be cared for in the classroom

Parents will be notified by email as soon as possible when there has been a confirmed diagnosis of a contagious disease.

 

Parent Responsibilities

Parents are expected to collect their child from school if requested by staff and to keep their child home from school for the recommended exclusion periods as outlined by SA Health.

Parents have a responsibility to inform the school as soon as possible if their child is diagnosed with a contagious condition.

If necessary, parents may be required to obtain a clearance letter from their GP before their child returns to school.

 

 

Ambulance Cover

As part of our duty of care, we may call an ambulance if your child is injured at school, has a medical episode such as a seizure, or at any other time where there are serious concerns for the health and safety of your child.

Parents are encouraged to take out ambulance cover as this is not provided by the school and the cost of an ambulance can be quite expensive.

Ambulance cover can be organised directly through the SA Ambulance Service or may be included as part of your family’s private health insurance (you will need to check this).

Suneden values the health, safety and wellbeing of all members of the school community and is committed to the development and maintenance of positive and respectful relationships with students and their families.

We recognise that sometimes things go wrong and we are committed to working together with you to resolve any concerns or complaints in a positive and considerate manner, helping us to improve our services to the Suneden community.
If you have an unresolved issue or complaint, please follow the steps as outlined below.

1. Discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher first. Many concerns may be due to a misunderstanding and/or issues relating to communication. In the majority of cases, these can be satisfactorily resolved informally and quickly with a conversation. It is important to maintain positive relationships between parents and staff.

2. If your concern cannot be informally resolved in this way, or if the concern is of a more serious nature, please make an appointment to discuss the issue with the Principal. The Principal may be able to offer an immediate/ prompt resolution or to be able make recommendations.

3. If this initial meeting with the Principal does not resolve your concern, then a Mediation meeting will be organised. This meeting will include the parent with the concern, the staff member(s) involved, the Principal and any support people for either the parent or the staff member.

4. If your concern is about the Principal, and you feel that the matter cannot be otherwise resolved, then you may choose to put your complaint in writing to the Chairperson, Suneden Specialist School Board of Management.

We understand that it can be difficult coming forward and expressing your concerns or making a complaint, however we assure you that you will be treated with respect, courtesy, and consideration.  Your concern or complaint will be listened to, taken seriously, and resolved fairly, reasonably and promptly.

Please note that as an Independent school, neither the Minister for Education nor the Department of Education have any power to directly intervene in any complaints relating to the operations of Suneden.