Category Archives: Bus Society

School Bus Not Running 2nd Dec Afternoon

There will be no school bus service on the afternoon of Friday 2nd December. Please make arrangements to collect your children from school that day.

The school bus is not operating on the afternoon of Friday 2nd December because there is no driver available. We have only one driver at present. The bus society committee has tried for many months now to find additional drivers. We have placed advertisements and phoned contacts without success.

The bus society’s driver shortage and other challenges were discussed at the Bus Route Review Meeting. For those not able to attend the meeting we have summarised the situation below.

The Pukekohe East School bus is owned and operated by the Pukekohe East School Bus Society. Families who pay bus fees are members of the bus society and are collectively responsible for the operation and maintenance of the school bus.

Recently the responsibility has fallen on the small group of parents who have taken the time to attend bus meetings and get involved. Of the small group of parents involved in running the bus service, some long-serving members are stepping down this year. New parents need to step up and lend a hand in 2017.

The bus service relies on parent volunteers. If you rely on the bus service please attend the bus meetings and share in decision-making and ideas. Bus meetings are convened once a school term; it’s not a huge investment of time. Involvement in the bus society is a great way to meet other parents and help the school community.

2017 Bus Society Meeting Dates
Monday 13 February, 7pm – Pukekohe East School hall
Monday 1 May, 7pm – Pukekohe East School hall
Monday 24 July, 7pm – Pukekohe East School hall
Monday 16 October, 7pm – Pukekohe East School hall

Pukekohe East School has the only cooperatively-owned school bus in New Zealand. For 70 years Pukekohe East School parents have been rallying together to keep the special bus service running for the benefit of their children and others in the school community. The school bus needs more parent involvement in 2017 to keep it going.

Yours faithfully,

Sarah Beston
Chairperson
Pukekohe East School Bus Society

Relief Bus Driver Needed

Relief driver needed for our school bus. Easy flexible hours. One day a week or more hours if desired. Do you know someone who may be interested? Please ask them to contact Gail after 4pm on 021 885 061.

busdriveradvert

Bus Society Meeting 10 October

The next Pukekohe East School Bus Society meeting is on Monday 10 October 2016 at 7pm at the offices of Searle Group, 25 Queen Street, Pukekohe.

This meeting is open to all school families, to learn how the school bus operates and get involved. Bus society meetings are a great way to meet other parents and new ideas are welcomed.

Plea to Bus Families

Dear fellow bus families,

The bus fees we pay go towards the cost of operating the bus but they don’t cover all operating expenses. Subscriptions fall short $10,000 each year on operating costs alone and we collectively need to offset the difference through fundraising, otherwise it will be a case of increasing bus family fees in 2017 to make up some of the shortfall. The bus society may also need to revisit the discounted school charter rate which would impact school trip prices.

So please get behind the Pukekohe East School Bus Society’s hypnotist fundraiser evening next Friday 12th August. This is our one big fundraiser for the school bus this year and we need your help to raise money from the community.

Here’s how you can help:

Invite friends, family, neighbours, colleagues, everyone, to the comedy hypnotist fundraiser. They can buy their tickets online at eventfinda.co.nz. Search ‘Dave Upfold’.
Please could you help out by providing a plate of baking. We’re providing a light supper in the ticket price and home baking will help us to keep our costs down. Please drop off your baking to Gail in the Resource Room (old Library) on Thursday or Friday next week.

Thanks for your support.
From your Bus Society Executive

Sarah Beston, Sally Grey, Lara Utatao and Lisa Wharfe.

Two Reminders

Bus Society General Meeting – tomorrow night

The Pukekohe East School Bus Society is meeting tomorrow night, Monday 25 July 2016, at 7pm at the offices of Searle Group, 25 Queen Street, Pukekohe. This meeting is open to all school families, to learn how the school bus operates and get involved.

Comedy Hypnosis Show Fundraiser – ticket forms due back Wednesday

Don’t forget to buy your tickets to the bus society’s comedy hypnosis show on Friday 12th August 8pm at Pukekohe East Hall. Please could you do your best to round up your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to share in our hilariously fun fundraiser evening.

Two ways to buy tickets:

Preferred option – Purchase your tickets online at eventfinda.co.nz. Search for ‘Dave Upfold’.
Alternatively complete this booking form and return it to Gail in the school office by 27 July, with cash or cheque payable to the Pukekohe East School Bus Society.