Tag Archives: School Transport

Getting Along Swimmingly!

Here we are again in a new term!  Last term, we had the Lewis Mod, which went well and the children performed in various competitions, including the playlet, which went well and was exceedingly funny!  Sarah won her Literary competition, so well done to her!

We are back after to Easter holidays, starting the “summer” term; although right now we have  “Sneachd na h-uain bheaga” which is typical for us here. The April showers in Lewis seem to be more often or not, “the snow of the wee lambs”!

Firstly, as it is term 4, we have started swimming again on Thursday afternoons.  This means travelling to Stornoway by mini bus and then back again, just in time to go home on the school buses.  Because of this, we have both an early break time in the morning and an early lunch to enable us to leave the school at 1 o’ clock.  Despite these minor disruptions to the school day, the children seem to be enjoying their lessons, and there are one or two sleepy children on the way home!

Secondly, even though we are just back to school, we have the May holiday weekend coming up, so we will be off on Friday 29th April AND Monday 2nd May.  We hope you enjoy the long weekend, and that the weather warms up for May, which has been until recently, always thought of as one of the loveliest months in the Western Isles, but remember the old Scotttish saying “ne’er cast a clout, ’til May is oot”.  In other words, don’t take your coat off until after May!  Incidentally, as a bit of long forgotten folklore, it is thought the “May” in the said saying isn’t the actual month, but refers to  the shrub hawthorn, which is also known as “May Thorn” and when it flowers!

Travel To and From School

Primary School Children living two miles or more from school and Secondary School Children living three miles or more from school are entitled to free transport.  Children who are not eligible for free transport will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of transport if they make use of it.  It will be possible for parents to:

 ¨ buy weekly books of tickets or

                                         ¨ purchase a termly pass or

                                         ¨ purchase a session pass.

 Payment for the above can be made by direct debit if parents wish.  The overall price is the same regardless of which method parents choose – i.e. there is no cost penalty for choosing to pay weekly or monthly.

 There is also a system of stepped discounts for families with more that one child travelling to school.

 It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child arrives at the pick up point on time and behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and leaving the vehicle.  Children who misbehave can lose their right to home to school transport.

 It should be noted that under guidelines issued in October 2002, the transport operator is responsible for taking reasonable care of the children on the bus. We are very fortunate to have extremely caring drivers who take an interest in the children and are concerned for their welfare. Our drivers ensure that pupils board and alight safely at pick-up and drop-off points.

 Pupils are also expected to follow the  behaviour code for travel on the bus, details of which have been issued to parents in the information guide “School Transport – A Guide for Parents and Pupils.” A copy of this     information guide may be found at:-

 http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/education/policiesprocedures/documents/policy/pupilparentguide.pdf

Travel To and From School

Primary School Children living two miles or more from school and Secondary School Children living three miles or more from school are entitled to free transport.  Children who are not eligible for free transport will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of transport if they make use of it.  It will be possible for parents to: 

¨ buy weekly books of tickets or

¨ purchase a termly pass or

¨ purchase a session pass.

 Payment for the above can be made by direct debit if parents wish.  The overall price is the same regardless of which method parents choose – in other words, there is no cost penalty for choosing to pay weekly or monthly. 

There is also a system of stepped discounts for families with more that one child travelling to school.

It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child arrives at the pick up point on time and behaves in a safe and acceptable manner while boarding, travelling in and leaving the vehicle.  Children who misbehave can lose their right to home to school transport.

 It should be noted that under guidelines issued in October 2002, the transport operator is responsible for taking reasonable care of the children on the bus. We are very fortunate to have extremely caring drivers who take an interest in the children and are concerned for their welfare. Our drivers ensure that pupils board and alight safely at pick-up and drop-off points.  

Pupils are also expected to follow the  behaviour code for travel on the bus, details of which have been issued to parents in the information guide “School Transport – A Guide for Parents and Pupils.” A copy of this information guide may be found at:-  

http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/education/policiesprocedures/documents/policy/pupilparentguide.pdf