Rosamond School currently runs three Special School Bus services:

• Altona to Braybrook Contract Bus Service, provided by Mees Bus Company;
• East Keilor to Braybrook Contract Bus Service, provided by Mees Bus Company; and
• Williamstown to Braybrook Contract Bus Service, provided by Mees Bus Company.

A supervisor accompanies the students on each bus service.

If parents/guardians/carers need to contact the bus at any stage they are to contact the following number(s):

• Altona to Braybrook: ring Mees Bus Company on 9459 3000, and quote student ID number
• East Keilor to Braybrook: ring Mees Bus Company on 9459 3000, and quote student ID number
• Williamstown to Braybrook: ring Mees Bus Company on 9459 3000, and quote student ID number.

DET sees student travel as a collaborative arrangement involving all stakeholders that care for a student. Parents/guardians/carers must assist in minimising both the travel distance and duration for all students on a route by meeting the bus at centralised pick-up points. Logistically, this has allowed us to provide a streamlined and efficient service for our students.

DET requires parents/guardians/carers to talk to their child about appropriate behaviour during transit and help to manage inappropriate behaviour. Parents/guardians/carers should work closely with the school and bus transport operators. Note that it is the responsibility of parents/guardians/carers to manage the receipt, use and return of specialised travel equipment required during transit.

DET requires that all students are, where appropriate, met by a parent/guardian/carer as they get off a Department-provided travel service. All students must be accompanied to and from the bus. Alternative arrangements may only be made with agreement in writing of the school and the parents/guardians/carers. Students may return home without being met by an adult only when both the school and parents agree that the student has reached a suitable level of maturity.

Please note: DET may require parents/guardians/carers to seek alternative transport arrangements to protect the health or safety of any person or property.

Responsibilities of parents:

1. It is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure their children are escorted to and met from the bus each day, unless agreed in advance in writing.
2. Parents are expected to be at the bus stop five minutes before the drop off and pick up times.
3. It is the responsibility of parents to notify the school immediately there are changes to contact details.
4. Parents are expected to notify the school – preferably in writing, if their child is to be met at the bus stop by a person or persons other than those authorised to do so.
5. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure a sick child is not put onto the bus.
6. During school hours it is the parents’ responsibility to notify the school if their child will be absent on a particular day.
7. Outside school hours parents are asked to contact the bus company (PH: 9459 3000) when and if their child will be absent. Leave a message stating childs name and Mees student number.
8. It is every parent’s duty to demonstrate active support towards those who are responsible for the transportation of students to and from school.

We expect:

1. To be notified by parents and/or a representative of the bus company as soon as they become aware that there is a problem.  This enables us to take immediate action.
2. That the bus company or crew will notify the school if it seems likely that either bus will be delayed.
3. That parents will notify us of any requested change to their child’s busing arrangements.
4. That parents will be waiting to collect their children at the agreed time and in the agreed place each afternoon, unless agreed otherwise in advance in writing.

We commit:

1. To providing support to the bus supervisors and drivers, whose role we acknowledge to be one of great responsibility.
2. To doing whatever must be done to ensure the bus is safe at all times, not only for our students, but for the driver and supervisor.
3. To maintaining the excellent relationship which exists between our school and the crews and management of the Contract Bus companies.