We also have a school funded bus run that goes into Marton - Contact for details

Hunterville Consolidated School is a rural school that accepts students from a large geographical area in the Rangitīkei/Manawatu regions. We have many bus runs that service this area, which transport children to school daily. These extend north to Kiekie Road, just off State Highway 1 south of Ohingaiti, with the option of a private run which stops at Flat Hills Café. (15 minutes from Taihape - This incurs an affordable termly fee). Going south, the run encompasses all of Leedstown Road, which is only a short drive of less than 10 minutes from the Marton township. 

 If you would like more information, please contact Hunterville School on 06 3228 210 or office@hunterville.school.nz

Mangahoe Bus run

We also have a school funded bus run that goes into Marton - Contact for details

TO: PARENTS, WHANAU, STUDENTS, DRIVERS, & BUS CONTRACTORS

Parents are asked to contact or get a message to drivers (even via a student at a pick up before yours) when children are off the bus in the morning, or to contact the school for changes to the afternoon arrangements. If parents turn up unexpectedly to collect children they are asked to inform the office, bus monitor or bus duty teacher that the child is then off the bus.

General rule: If the school has not heard from parents the child will travel home the usual way.

Bus Rules / Procedures:

This is to clarify and standardise rules/procedures relating to the safe and orderly transportation of Hunterville School students on our four Ministry of Education funded daily bus runs, and the privately paid Ohingaiti run.

1. Government School transport policy provides assistance for students who live more than 3.2km from their nearest school, and attend that school. (Formerly a student could be entitled to transport assistance even if they attended a school more distant than their nearest school.)

2. Students not fitting the above criteria are technically ‘ineligible’ and are only transported with the approval of the bus contractor by private arrangement. 3. The school as well as the bus contractor and driver are responsible for the safety of students whilst being transported by bus.

4. Bus monitors are appointed by the school and have specific duties, namely: a. Assist the driver by seeing that students observe safety rules (see below).

b. Report misbehaviour to the Principal.

c. Assist with the orderly assembly of pupils in the afternoon and mark off the roll.

5. Although the responsibility for disciplining students rests with the Principal, bus drivers are expected to assist in controlling students travelling on buses as follows:

∙ If the misdemeanour is minor and isolated, warn the child (politely but firmly) that misconduct will not be tolerated and that further instances will be reported to the Principal.

∙ If misbehaviour persists, report the incident to the Principal. ∙ If there is gross misconduct or any tendency towards general disorder the driver should select a safe place and stop the bus. The driver should then tell the students he/she will not proceed until order is restored. The Principal should then be informed of the incident.

∙ In cases of repeated or gross misconduct the driver may, on subsequent days, refuse to take the student/s concerned until such time as the parents have been interviewed by the Principal and the driver has been informed that disciplinary action has been taken.

6. In NO instance should a student be put off a bus during a journey as a disciplinary measure.

7. Follow-up action for inappropriate behaviour on any school bus may include a student being denied transport on the bus for a period of time. 8. Bus drivers are asked to report even minor mishaps to the Principal (Eg. If a bus has to stop suddenly and a child falls out of his/her seat; a ‘near miss’ situation even if caused by another vehicle; etc).

9. Bus drivers are required to most definitely not allow students to be dropped off or picked up from town.

10. In the event of a break down students should, if deemed safe and sensible remain in the bus.

- When students must leave the bus (e.g. punctured tyre necessitating changing a wheel), they must stand clear of the bus and off the road – even over a fence in a paddock if that is suitable.

-Where visibility is restricted senior pupils may be posted to warn other road users.

10. Other Specific Rules/Procedures for Students …

a) Stand well back from the bus and wait until the bus has stopped before walking towards it to get on.

b) Before getting off the bus students must remain in their seat until the bus has stopped.

c) After getting off the bus in the afternoon Hunterville School insists children must wait away from the bus and in full view of the driver before moving off.

DRIVERS SHOULD NOT DRIVE AWAY UNLESS CHILDREN WHO HAVE JUST GOT OFF CAN BE SEEN.

d) Those needing to cross the road after being dropped off must wait for the bus to travel 200 metres (say… two power poles) before crossing the road.

e) Stay in the same seat throughout your journey unless instructed otherwise by the driver.

f) When sitting down children must sit on their bottom with their feet over the front edge of the seat. Definitely no kneeling/feet on seats. g) No eating or drinking on the bus.

h) Keep bags etc., out of the aisles.

i) Noise to be kept to a minimum – talk quietly to those around you. j) Obey requests by drivers & monitors regarding bus rules & safety. k) Be courteous and considerate to all on the bus. Greet your driver in a friendly way and say a pleasant, ‘thank you’, every time!