Safe School Travel Group
OPERATING PRINCIPLES FOR THE SAFE SCHOOL TRAVEL WORKING GROUP
Objectives of Safe School Travel Working Group
- To work with the school, government authorities and other stakeholders to facilitate the development of safe school travel practices around Bulimba State School.
- To identify, develop and implement solutions to safe school travel issues around Bulimba State School.
Core Activities
- To implement procedures for use of the two Stop, Drop & Go zones, publish these in a Facts Sheet and ensure school community is regularly informed.
- To maintain a volunteer roster to man the Stop, Drop & Go zones.
- To inform the school community via newsletter about safety or non-compliance issues when they arise in an effort to educate and change behaviour.
- To seek feedback from the school community on safety or traffic management issues.
- To lobby and liaise with Brisbane City Council and other relevant authorities, in consultation with the Principal, for solutions to safe school travel issues around the school.
- To obtain any necessary equipment or signage.
- To work with the designated teacher in charge of Active School Travel to help support and promote Walking Wheeling Wednesdays and Fit Fun Fridays.
- Keep the P&C Association up-to-date on current issues.
Office Bearers
There is a Chair for the purposes of having a point of contact. Other roles, which may be handled by the Chair or any others in the Working Group, include Secretary (handling correspondence and minutes) and coordinating the Stop Drop & Go volunteer roster. The Working Group members consist of any persons interested in safe school travel issues and wishing to contribute to the group. There is no Treasurer as no money is handled and any requests for expenditure will go through the P&C. Occasionally small sums of money may be donated (eg from Brisbane City Council for Walking Wheeling Wednesdays) and this should be handled by the general P&C Treasurer. Any change in Chair/contact person should be reported at the next general meeting of the P&C Association.
Meetings
Meetings occur as required, depending on what issues need to be discussed or resolved. Where necessary, the Principal or Deputies are invited to attend, or the Chair may request a separate meeting with the Principal. Otherwise, the group is consulted and keep informed via email. Minutes should be taken when important issues are discussed and all decisions, including who is responsible for follow-up action and the timing of implementation, should be minuted. Major decisions should be presented at the next P&C Meeting for approval or information. Minor decisions are to be made within the working group meetings and recorded in the minutes as appropriate.
Regular Reporting Responsibilities
The Chair is responsible for ensuring that the Working Group:- Tables a written report at each general meeting of the P&C Association
- Includes regular articles in the newsletter regarding meeting times for the working group, ways in which volunteers can get involved including calls for volunteers to assist at Stop Drop Go, and informing the school community of any other issues of note.
When Problems Arise
Members are requested to contact a member of the P&C Executive should problems occur in the day-to-management of the Working Group. If an issue of conflict arises between the Working Group and the school administration, the P&C executive should be advised as soon as practical. If an emergency situation arises and the P&C executive is not contactable, the Principal or other senior member of the school administration should be approached for advice and guidance. The outcomes of this communication should be relayed to the P&C Executive as soon as is practical.
Decisions about how to Spend Funds Raised for the P&C Association
In the event of any small amounts of money being received, proposals about how funds are to be spent should be discussed within the Working Group and with any relevant school staff such as the Principal or Teacher in charge of Active School Travel.