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WELCOME NOTE
WELCOME NOTE Issue 07
Marketing & Communications Manager
Parinita Bharadwaj Senior Communications Executive
Leslie Morelos Marketing Executive
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he last edition of our Journey magazine focused on the ‘Superheroes of STS’ and their incredible efforts towards safeguarding the wellbeing of our staff and students by creating awareness in the importance of health and safety matters.
new normal as it will require us to adapt to new ways of living and working.
As we commence a new academic year, we have been preparing to welcome students back into the school bus with rigorous training modules that cover various aspects of safety, from fire safety management to emergency evacuation programmes. Our employees and staff Over the past 18 members have been months, we have working tirelessly endured change that We now stand in front of the to ensure that all has impacted each new normal. While none of us safety protocols and of us, directly or may be able to predict what it guidelines as per indirectly. We now regulatory bodies are stand in front of the would look like, I am sure it being followed. new normal. While will be a positive one. none of us may be Within the pages able to predict what of this edition of it would look like, I am sure it will be a the magazine, you will read about positive one. I can be sure that we live in our vaccination campaign, our recent a part of the world that is committed to expansion into new markets, our presence protecting and preserving us all. The UAE across reputed sporting events in the past has much to celebrate and is demonstrated year, and tips on how to manage mental by being at the top of the global lists wellbeing for young ones. regarding vaccinations and healthcare.
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Neetu Deshwal
Dear Colleagues,
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As we continue to manage change, we will develop the capacity for shifting and changing and developing new skills and attitudes. This will be important with the
I wish everyone the very best for the new term and assure you that your child’s school bus journey will always be Safe, Timely, Smart.
Steve Burnell Managing Director of STS Group
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Content
In This Issue…
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Cover Story: The New Face Of Safety Read about our vaccination campaign that helped increase school bus ridership through the year.
Coping With Change We spoke to Aster Hospital’s Specialist Neonatologist and Paediatrician about mental wellbeing for children. SEPTEMBER 2021 I STS JOURNEY
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We’ve Rebranded!
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STS Group Now In Qatar
School Bus Emergency Evacuation Read about our robust emergency evacuation training curriculum.
Know more about the STS Group and our portfolio of the most influential transport brands in the region.
The STS Group recently expanded its operations to the Qatar market with two new schools.
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Back-to-the Bus Word Scramble Unscramble 10 school bus safety words!
Cover Story
The New Face of
SAFETY
School Transport Services’ COVID-19 Vaccination Drive creates a positive impact on school bus ridership for the new term.
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chool Transport Services has always prioritised its passengers and employees’ health and safety. Being a responsible transport operator, STS actively supported and encouraged all of our 3,000 employees to be proactive about their personal safety and hygiene, keeping in mind the large part of the educational environment that our teams work within. The UAE’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign has been world-leading, and this ensured that our employees had access to a positive vaccination programme. We continually focused on the welfare of our people and conducted a vaccination awareness campaign for all employees to ensure that they had relevant information to make an informed decision. We worked closely with the health authorities to ensure that everyone was provided with the available levels of protection. “The safety and wellbeing of students, employees, and everyone we engage with will always be our priority,” said Steve Burnell, Managing Director of STS Group. “Our proactive approach to employee health and everyone we engage with, combined with our vaccine programme, meant that 100% of eligible employees received the vaccine by the time the schools reopened in April 2021,” he said. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the STS team worked tirelessly with the education community and regulatory bodies by introducing the Back-to-theBus Safety Protocol. This ensured that the highest safety and protection standards were in place to assure parents that the
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Cover Story school bus is the safest form of getting to and from school every day. Whilst the number of students returning to school post lockdown was low, the number of students returning to the school bus has increased month on month. Combined with our successful vaccination drive, these safety efforts have shown tremendous confidence amongst parents and now choosing the bus for their child’s attendance at school. The returning students using STS transport are continually rising and are three times what they were late last year.
“The steady rise in bus ridership is an incredible achievement for all of us. Students returning to the school bus will have a positive impact on the environment and will reduce traffic congestion around school zones in the long run,” said Thomas Edelmann, Managing Director of Road Safety UAE.
COVID VACCINE AWARENESS
Don’t Wait To Vaccinate
At STS, we have always prioritised the health and safety of our staff and employees, which is why we would like to encourage you to protect yourself, your family and the community against COVID-19 by choosing to take the vaccine. The UAE’s COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign is well underway with over one million people already vaccinated. We encourage our staff members across all our Business Units (STS, BBT, SDET, Private Hire and STS Auto) in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah to take the vaccine as soon as possible. The Sinopharm and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines have both been approved by the local authorities.
Distributed by government facilities, private hospitals and clinics across the UAE. Visit facilities operated by the Ministry of Health, Department of Health, SEHA and DHA. Walk-in (without an appointment). You will require your Emirates ID at the time of receiving the vaccine.
Available only through the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Register and take an appointment via the DHA App. You will need a Medical Record Number (MRN), an unique number generated by the DHA to identify patients and their medical history. If you have been administered with a COVID-19 test in the past or received treatment in a DHA clinic, you will have a registered MRN.
Choosing to take the vaccine is a personal decision and is not mandated by the local authorities or by STS. It is our recommendation in order to protect oneself against the Coronavirus, based on the UAE’s drive to vaccinate its residents. After receiving the vaccine, please inform your Line Manager and the HR department for recording purposes.
Another factor contributing to the steady rise in students choosing STS, is their bus fleet, which is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies designed to keep students safe. One of the latest features onboard is the Driver Fatigue Camera, which consists of a driver-facing live camera mounted on the dashboard. This system utilises pupil identification technology and analyses the driver’s facial features to detect fatigue indicators and behaviour such as eye blink rate, mobile phone use, and oral intake. “STS’s superior fatigue detection system is not affected by the presence of personal protective equipment such as face masks and face shields, said Chidambaram Gunaseelan, Head of IT at STS Group. Other smart technologies in the bus include RFID Student Tracking, Motion Sensors, STS App, Route Optimisation, Child Check Monitors, Alert Button, CCTV Surveillance Systems, and GPS Tracking. All safety measures introduced over the past year are part of STS’s holistic approach towards student safety and reflect our core values of Safe, Timely, Smart. The increase in the school bus ridership and transport registration for the new school term is a positive step towards normalisation, a proud moment for STS, with its people taking the initiative and inspiring a safety-driven community mindset.
It is important to remember that the vaccine does not provide immediate immunity against the virus. It is essential to continue to follow all COVID-19 precautions and safety protocols even after receiving the vaccine until such time as announced by the local authorities.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy.
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News
We are proud to share that we are now STS Group.
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creating an atmosphere of empowerment and growth,” said Steve Burnell, managing director of STS Group. “We lead the way forward with the STS way of life. Having set new standards and benchmarks for safety and excellence of service quality, STS Group is a symbol of strength and distinction reflected in the way we work,” he added.
ur business has undergone significant transformation over the past years. The new name strengthens what we have always been known for, while simultaneously moving the brand forward to unify all our transport and technical services under one identity, STS Group. Apart from the new name we have also launched a new website portal. While this may seem like a big change, you can rest assured that our core values haven’t changed at all. Our commitment to everything we do, from the way we interact with our customers, colleagues, and community to the services we provide, continue to be centered around the values of being Safe, Timely, Smart. With these core principles instilled in our culture, the STS Group is confident in delivering on its promises each and every day. “At STS Group, we are passionate about 10
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STS Group offers a broad spectrum of transport and technical services for the education and corporate business sectors. Our current portfolio includes some of the most respected and influential transport brands in the region.
A whole new way to experience the
STS BRAND!
STS Group operates two school transport brands across the UAE; School Transport Services and Bright Bus Transport. Both companies take pride in being the UAE’s leading private school transport operators. By enabling more than 80,000 students with Safe, Timely, Smart transport, we have
News transformed the way the community experiences the school bus journey. Securi Tech Services delivers the highest quality security solutions across the GCC. We provide full security systems including CCTV systems, smart vehicle systems with GPS tracking, complete building security, automation and safety solutions for schools, vehicles, retail, and government entities. These systems are installed and managed in a Safe, Timely, Smart manner by a team of fully trained and licensed technicians. Staff & Tourism Services enables corporate clients and private parties with Safe, Timely, Smart transport services. We have an extensive fleet of luxury coaches, buses, minibuses, and minivans, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that support the critical role of customer safety and comfort. STS Auto Services provides total care solutions for fleet maintenance to private and corporate customers. By supporting the transport sector with Safe, Timely, Smart maintenance services, we have achieved an enviable reputation for engineering excellence through quality of service. STS Auto Services facilities operate from four strategically positioned technical sites across the UAE.
For further information on STS Group and our services please visit our website at www.sts-group.com
School Transport Services
Securi Tech Services
Staff & Tourism Services
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News
A New Feather in The Cap
For Securi Tech Services
Securi Tech Services (Security Devices and Equipment Trading), a trusted and experienced provider of security solutions across the UAE, was certified to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System by the Swiss Accreditation Services (SAS) in February 2021.
ISO 9001 Certificate The ISO 9001 Quality Management System certification was achieved throughout Securi Tech Services, and it ensures that quality procedures are met and maintained while providing consistency and continuous improvement of working practices. STS Group quality policy ensures the commitment towards delivering on-time, cost-effective, quality surveillance systems and security solutions, in compliance with local and international regulatory standards.
Other Accredited Certification STS Group provides complete ELV solutions for Commercial, Residential, Educational, Healthcare, and Hospitality sectors. These systems are installed and managed in a Safe, Timely, Smart manner by our team of trained and licensed engineers and technicians. We comply with all regulatory standards and are fully trained and certified by Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA) and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).
Securi Tech Services has a wealth of expertise in developing competitive high-quality solutions. We provide full security systems including CCTV systems, smart vehicle systems with GPS tracking and access control systems that are installed and managed by our fully trained and licensed technicians. We offer worldclass security solutions with the support of highly experiences security specialists design engineers, service, and maintenance professionals, across a range of regions, demographics, and sectors.
In recognition of Securi Tech Services as a value-added systems integrator, Steve Burnell, Managing Director of STS Group, was presented with a memento of appreciation by Digifort.
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News
Our Key Projects Train Beach Club, La Mer, Dubai
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The key objective of this project was to enable the team at Train Beach Club to monitor activities across various facilities of its beachfront property. As a valued partner, our team was able to put together a customised solution that best supported the project goals.
Our experience with Securi Tech Services has been a very pleasant one from the word go. Starting with assessing our property to discussing the requirements and advising the best course of action to finally installing the CCTV system, the team did a great job! We feel safe and secure knowing that the systems have been installed at our property in the best way possible. Train Beach Club, La Mer
Train Beach Club, La Mer, Dubai
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GEMS Westminster School, Sharjah
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STS Group handled the installation and management of CCTV surveillance for the GEMS Westminster School in Sharjah. The complete setup was carried out in three phases enabling maximum coverage of the school.
STS Group did a great job setting up CCTV surveillance systems as well as biometric systems in our schools. The CCTV systems have helped put our mind at ease knowing that our students and staff are safe and secure at all times, and the biometric system has made tracking staff attendance so much easier. Thanks for making the set up a hassle-free experience! GEMS Education
Train Beach Club, La Mer, Dubai
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Introducing The New Securi Tech Services Van We recently revamped our Securi Tech Services vans with our branding and all the service categories we offer. These vans are equipped with spare parts, consumables, and tools required by our team of specialists to carry out installation, on-site maintenance, and post-sales services. Have you spotted one on the road? Keep a look out!
Train Beach Club, La Mer, Dubai
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News
The STS Group recently expanded its operations to the Qatar market with two schools.
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chool Transport Services, a part of the STS Group of companies, commenced operations as a bus and car rental company, specialising in school transport and charter bus services in Dubai in 2008, and soon became the leading private operator and preferred partner of choice for school transport solutions across the UAE. By enabling more than 80,000 students with safe and reliable transport, we have transformed the way the UAE
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community experiences the school bus journey. Spurred on by the success in the UAE, the STS Group took on the recent expansion in Qatar. “Recognising the opportunity for transport and logistics management in a new market, we began our expansion in Qatar over two years ago,” said Steve Burnell, managing director of STS Group. “We now operate in two schools and will continue to expand our presence there,” he added.
News
Gems American Academy Qatar
GEMS
American Academy Qatar (GAAQ) is part of the GEMS Education family, a network of international schools that offer students the highest standard of education. As a GEMS Education school, they embody the GEMS core concepts of leading through innovation, pursuing excellence, growing by learning and global citizenship.
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As a trusted and experienced provider of passenger transport services across the region, STS Group has a wealth of experience in supporting school service requirements to deliver Safe, Timely, Smart solutions,” said Head of School/ CEO of GEMS American Academy Qatar. “STS Group’s extensive fleet is equipped and maintained with the latest technology to ensure safety, quality, and comfort. We are extremely delighted to have them manage our school transport,” he said.
Gems Wellington School Qatar
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odelled on the distinguished GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai, the GEMS Education school in Qatar opened recently, offering the academically renowned National Curriculum for England. The programme has been adapted to suit students who come from countries around the world.
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STS Group is a fantastic transport service provider with a well-trained, dedicated transport team and an outstanding reputation. They make sure to go above and beyond expectations in the service they offer while always ensuring student safety is their number one priority” said David Wilson, Principal/CEO of GEMS Wellington School Qatar. “The team has worked very closely with the school to meet our specific needs and ensure we are operationally ready for the new term,” he added.
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News
STS Group Luxury Coaches at
IPL 2020
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taff & Tourism Services provided transport to three cricketing teams of the Indian Premiere League held in Dubai between September and November in 2020.
Our luxury coaches with the team branding were prepared for Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. A dedicated team of bus drivers and supervisors were prepared for the engagement with these high-profile clients. COVID-19 preventive measures such as sanitisation and disinfection were carried out for the buses in accordance with the BCCI (The Board of Control for Cricket in India) requirement and local regulations.
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It was such a pleasure working with STS Group. The work culture and ethics followed by the team was truly impressive,” said Hardik Dasani, Deputy General Manager Operations, KTC (India). “I would like to thank the STS drivers for the IPL teams of Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore for being such a fantastic team to work with!” he said.
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News
Official Transport Provider for the
25th Dubai World Cup STS
Group managed the transport requirement for the 25th Dubai World Cup, 2021. Our Staff & Tourism Services team was thrilled to be awarded the contract for this premium social event. 8 luxury buses and 6 minibuses were used to transfer VIP guests staying at The Ritz-Carlton in DIFC to the Meydan Grandstand in Nad al Sheba, over the course of the racing season.
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Spotlight
Ida’s Wish Come True
Ida Al-Hajj studying in GEMS Royal School watched her friends getting on and off the school bus each day. As her family planned to move back to their home country this year, Ida’s one wish before leaving Dubai, was to travel home on the bus along with all her friends.
Our transport team worked together with the school authorities to make this little girl’s dream come true!
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Spotlight
STS Group Organised
Blood Donation Campaign O
The STS Group organised a two-day blood donation campaign in April 2021, in collaboration with the Dubai Blood Donation Center by Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
ver 3,000 of our staff participated by completing a questionnaire on the DHA App followed by a medical assessment to ensure they were eligible to donate blood. A team of doctors and nurses counselled the staff on dietary tips to raise their haemoglobin levels. “This is a great opportunity for us to do something meaningful. I am so happy to be able to donate blood today,” said Binu Subramanian, foreman at STS Group. Given the pandemic, I was a little hesitant at first to undergo a medical procedure. However, seeing the arrangements made by the QHSE team at STS Group and DHA, has put my mind at ease. Everything was organised well and carried out smoothly and swiftly,” he added.
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Spotlight
3 More Schools Join
The Fuel Upgrade Taking the STS Group’s Biofuel Initiative Into High Gear
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e have always been strongly committed towards being environmentally conscious. In order to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to mitigating climate change, STS Group facilitated the launch of the Neutral Fuels B20 biofuel in GEMS Modern Academy (GMA), last year.
What is the biofuel?
The biofuel is a type of renewable energy source derived from plant and waste materials. It burns cleanly and improves the quality of tailpipe emissions, thereby improving the overall air quality for everyone.
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This year, STS Group launched the biofuel station in the Dubai American Academy (DAA). In addition to providing the biofuel to its own school buses, this fueling tank caters to school buses from two neighbouring schools: American School of Dubai (ASD) and GEMS Wellington International School (WIS).
Spotlight
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Dr. Becky Berg Interim Superintendent, ASD
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We’re thrilled to be working alongside our partner, STS Group to bring the bio diesel fuel to our school. It was exciting day here DAA, to finally open the bio diesel tank. This has been months of a partnership with STS Group and working alongside a visionary leader like Steve Burnell. All this planning has led us to this point, but not only DAA buses will benefit from this. This vision is going to beyond go beyond our school. We’re going to have other schools that during off hours are also going to bring their buses to the field in an environmentally conscious way. So, it just takes one to get started, and then the momentum builds. Thank you, STS Group.
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Here at DAA, we’re committed to being a school that is environmentally thoughtful. We always welcome any opportunity to spark these types of initiatives and international programs that really promote a more sustainable lifestyle.
We are very committed to sustainability efforts and what started as a small little effort has become really the ethos of the American School of Dubai. This biofuel transition for our buses will be one more step for reducing our carbon footprint, which is one our deep commitments to the planet and to the future of our children. We are very grateful to STS Group in partnering with us on this biofuel initiative, and we’re hoping that this can be the spark for other schools and other organisations to switch over to biofuel as well. Here’s to the future.
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“STS Group and DAA, are saving the environment, one bus at a time.”
The biofuel campaign aligns very well with our educational programmes. We do a lot of work with student initiatives specifically, in trying to address climate change, trying to address sustainability in all its forms. So, the conversations around biofuel are heavily important in the in-class teaching that we do on a daily basis. We are very thankful to STS Group for being the role model that we’re all looking up to, and we hope that the partnership between the school and the company will allow more in-depth conversations and deeper learning, so that we can lead by example. Laurence Myers Service Learning Coordinator, ASD
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We are so proud to be part of this campaign because we are true believers that our environment and our world needs to be cared for and looked after. Our ECO team has undertaken many initiatives throughout the school. We are really proud to be part of this project and hope that many more schools will enroll in the campaign.
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Charlotte Titterton Head of ECO Team, WIS
Tammy Murphy Superintendent/CEO, DAA
STS Group is on a journey to reduce its carbon emissions and minimise its impact on climate change. We are determined to force change and with the introduction of biofuel, have started to reduce the carbon emissions for our fleet. A small start for us to a bigger, brighter future.
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Steve Burnell Managing Director of STS Group
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Spotlight
Coping With Change
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he start of the new term marks a big change in the lives of families with school going children. Parents and students have had to deal with constant change over the past year and seem to be coping with fears around safety. As most parents seem to be grappling with how best to support the young ones in the family, the Communications team at STS Group spoke to Dr. Binoy Nellissery, a Specialist Neonatologist and Paediatrician practising at Aster Hospital Al Qusais.
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How can I support my child and ensure their mental wellbeing?
The start of a new term can be nerve-wracking for students, evoking a range of emotions from apprehension to anxiety. The advent of the pandemic has heightened the stress of separation anxiety and isolation. Often, children will present signs of mental illness that are not quite the same as adults. You may observe changes in behaviour, mood, sleep patterns, appetite and/or interactions with others that have a negative effect on your child’s day-to-day activities.
Seek help if your child is experiencing any of the following: ▶ Extreme outburst or excessive mood swings. ▶ Worrying that leads to stomach aches or headache. ▶ Avoiding activities that they previously enjoyed, such as spending time with friends. ▶ Unusually quiet, sad, or reserved, preoccupied. ▶ Change in appetite – eating considerably less or more.
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What changes should I make to nutrition to increase my child’s immunity?
A balanced and healthy diet can ensure a robust immune system. Inclusion of citrus fruits, yellow fruits, ginger, garlic, green leafy vegetables, almond, turmeric, and yogurt can strengthen the child’s immunity. Keeping the body hydrated is also very important and adequate vitamin D supplements have been found to be supportive, as demonstrated by studies. Ensuring adequate physical activity must also be considered a priority.
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What should I keep in mind before sending my child back to school?
Create awareness among children regarding the spread of COVID-19 as well as the preventive measures like appropriate use of face masks and hand hygiene. Older child should get vaccinated as per the recommended age.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS ▶ Spend more time with your child. ▶ Family time must include indoor as well as outdoor activities. ▶ Follow a healthy, nutritious diet. ▶ Take up exercising together as a family. ▶ Encourage opportunities to socialise and improve interpersonal interaction. 24
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Spotlight
SCHOOL EVENTS All year around STS Group takes part in school open days and meet-and-greet events with parent and students. Here’s round-up of all the happened in the past year.
and res h t firs featuby a get safety uses our n h a s c f the hool b s wit t n u o e c Par ience our s emo b am. te er rd r d exp nboa of ou sport o ng n tra ri u o t
Stude mascot nts meet the STS s at GE Academ MS Wellingto n y Al Kh ail.
g erin t s i g e s re servic en t n p e Par r bus hool o o f g sc . in days dur
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Spotlight
IN THE NEWS The STS Group witnessed widespread media coverage by major publications and news channels through the year. Here’s a glimpse of all that was newsworthy this year.
RADIO At the start of the 2020 term, STS Group MD Steve Burnell spoke to Helen Farmer from Dubai Eye, and Sid and Parikshit from City 1016 about new safety protocols implemented in our school buses in preparation for the new academic year. In December 2020, Karl Feilder from Neutral Fuels, and Steve Burnell joined Helen Farmer to discuss how their partnership; school buses running on Biofuel, ensured clean air for children and reduced the UAE’s carbon footprint.
NEWSPAPER Gulf News featured our sanitisation and safety protocols put in place to disinfect buses ahead of new term in 2020. This was followed by articles in Khaleej Times and Gulf News that talked about the need to encourage school bus usage to curb the raise in traffic jams and air pollution in the city. The National featured Steve Burnell’s discussion at the Gulf Traffic webinar on the changing mindset of parents with regards to school transport. In November 2020, Dubai Media Office, UAE Forsan and Logistics Middle East covered STS Group’s fuel upgrade to Neutral Fuels B20 Biofuel in GEMS Modern Academy. Khaleej Times coverage of the changing mindset of parents towards using school buses post the vaccination campaign. Khaleej Times and Gulf News covered the KHDA’s announcement of school buses being allowed to operate at 100% capacity and the COVID-19 travel safety protocols of the back-to-school season in August 2021.
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Spotlight
TELEVISION STS Group was part of the GEMS Education initiative to ensure that schools and buses were ready to welcome children to the 2021 term. Dubai TV and Dubai RTA capturing the safety inspection of our school buses on the first day of the 2021 term at GEMS Modern Academy.
WEBINAR The Dubai Chamber Sustainability Network webinar in October 2020 brought together road safety experts and technology providers for a discussion on the need for incorporating relevant technology and tools into road safety management and practices. We also participated in the Dubai Dialogue 2020 which is Dubai Chamber’s largest annual conference highlighting the benefits of adopting sustainability as a business strategy. Steve Burnell shared his views on the new phase of public transport at the Gulf Traffic webinar and the SERCO Road Safety Awareness webinar.
PRINT STS Group advertisements appeared in reputed publications such as the Echo magazine by the Dubai Police Academy and Lycee Francais International Georges Pompidou school magazine. Our rebranding announcement generated a lot of buzz being published in the Dubai Police Society magazine.
STS AUTO SERVICES
SCHOOL TRANSPORT SERVICES
SECURI TECH SERVICES
STAFF & TOURISM SERVICES
STS Group offers a broad spectrum of transport and technical services for the education and corporate business sectors. Our purpose is to shape a better world by being a reliable partner of choice for passenger transport solutions across the GCC through our core values of
Safe, Timely, Smart. www.sts-group.com
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Safety Matters
Fire Safety Training Keeping A Cool Head While Dealing with Fire
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s part of STS Group’s ongoing commitment to health and safety at the workplace, we conducted a series of fire safety training workshops for our operations team. This training is crucial for our transport teams as it teaches them how to respond in the event of an emergency and act safely and responsibly to mitigate the risk of injury. Treating fire safety as a priority
ensures that our staff are not caught off guard and know what to do in the event of a fire. This is especially important as they deal with children on a day-to-day basis. The full day event was conducted by trainers from Save Fast Fire and Safety Training LLC. Our Bus drivers, bus guardians, and supervisors participated in toolbox talks that helped them understand how to identify potential fire
hazards and the various kinds of fires. They also took part in practical demonstrations on the use of fire extinguishers. The hands-on training experience left them feeling prepared and confident. Learning basic fire-fighting techniques helps prevent small fires from becoming big emergencies and allows our team of supervisors to prepare for fire safety and implement preventive measures. SEPTEMBER 2021 I STS JOURNEY
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Safety Matters
SCHOOL BUS
EMERGENCY
EVACUATION PROGRAMME
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n important aspect of STS Group’s safety training chapter is the emergency evacuation programme for the school bus. This involves developing an effective evacuation plan will live evacuation drills carried out at regular intervals through the year. In real-life emergencies, only two to five minutes are available to complete the evacuation procedure before the situation escalates. To carry out a smooth evacuation involving children, it is crucial for bus drivers and bus guardians to be familiar with the evacuation policies, procedures, and techniques. STS Group worked closely with Safe Fast Fire and Safety Training LLC to implement an emergency evacuation
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training curriculum that met our checklist of policies and goals. Our bus drivers, bus guardians, and supervisors underwent a full day’s training involving role playing of multiple evacuation scenarios. Each session was timed and reviewed to better understand how evacuation could have been swifter and more efficient. The ideal time for a successful evacuation is two minutes, which our teams were able to achieve after a few rounds of practice. Such repeated exposure to various possible scenarios helped our transport staff be better equipped with escape routes, and the proper procedure for leaving a vehicle in during an emergency.
Safety Matters
Our teams received hands-on training to manage various types of scenarios: • • • •
Front door evacuation. Rear exit evacuation. Emergency window evacuation. Evacuation when the bus is filled with smoke. • Evacuation involving a sleeping child. • Evacuation of special needs students (and students with medical conditions).
“Knowing that our students are travelling with staff members who know how to take the right course of action in the face of an emergency is reassuring for me as an educator and as a parent,” said Campbell Douglas, Principal of GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail. “I feel comfortable knowing that our students are in good hands. Our transport partner, School Transport Services has gone above and beyond to ensure that child safety and protection is always top priority,” he said.
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Safety Matters
Getting to School Safely:
School Bus Danger Zone
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he yellow bus is one of the most common motor vehicles on the road. It is also the safest. However, getting on and off the school bus can be challenging especially for young children. With this is mind, the School Transport Services team conducted a Danger Zone workshop at the GEMS Wellington Academy,
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Al Khail. Through a variety of engagement activities, students from FS1 to Grade 6 learnt about safe distances and danger zones surrounding the bus. Students watched educational videos on travel safety protocol to understand where to stand and how to behave while waiting for the school bus.
Safety Matters The children also participated in colouring exercises to help understand and remember the danger zones. Upon completion of the workshop, each student received a safety badge and certificate!
Safety practices to keep in mind ✓ The Danger Zone is the space within 10 giant steps around the bus. ✓ Golden rule to remember: If you can’t see the driver, the driver can’t see you either. ✓ Get to the boarding point at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive. Running to catch the bus is dangerous and can lead to injuries. ✓ Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the bus guardian signals you to board the bus. ✓ Never enter the Danger Zone to pick up items such as bags, papers, etc. Inform the bus guardian.
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Safety Matters
THE STS - ASTER
S
TS Group teamed up with Aster DM Healthcare to create the STS-Aster Wellness Bus initiative, a mobile medical service conceptualised to provide free medical care and to enhance health awareness in the community. The two-day event provided health screening and general consultation for STS Group employees and staff. The Wellness Bus was primed with tools to conduct basic health checks such as physical examination by doctors, bio-physical measurements (height,
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weight, body mass index, visual acuity) and blood investigation. Over 3,000 members of our staff underwent the screening in two days.
Safety Matters
WELLNESS BUS
Infection and Disease Control workshops were conducted for our bus drivers and bus guardians. Our teams received hands-on training on the proper way to sanitise and disinfect hands and surrounding surface areas, and the right way to dispose face masks and gloves.
The Basic Life Support (BLS) workshop educated our transport staff in the general concepts of BLS and taught them how to initiate the Chain of Survival. The event was designed to teach the importance of taking the right action quickly and confidently.
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Safety Matters
BANKSMEN AND FOREMEN TRAINING Banksmen and foremen form an essential part of STS Group’s operations team. Given that both roles oversee the implementation of safety rules and regulations in the company, they received regular training and refresher courses throughout the year.
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Safety Matters
Who is a Banksman and what do they do? A designated person who safely guides bus drivers through vehicle manoeuvre, making them responsible for the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and other vehicles. The banksman plays an important role assisting in vehicle manoeuvre as drivers may not always have full view of their intended path of travel and when reversing the vehicle with limited visibility or space. A banksman’s main form of communication with drivers is through hand signals. Through group activities and training exercises, the refresher course focuses on reinforcing essential qualities required to carry out their duties:
• • • •
Excellent observation skills. Hand/Eye coordination. Sharp sight and hearing. Soft skills such being assertive and a good communicator
Who is a Foreman and what do they do? A designated person who supervises and supports bus drivers and bus guardians. The foreman undertakes thorough inspection of the buses. Buses undertake their journey only after all items on the foreman’s checklist have been completed and signed off. Regular maintenance and upkeep of all technologies and related devices on board each vehicle.
Beat the Heat Event During the summer months, all our staff members including banksmen, foremen, bus drivers and guardians, and the STS Auto Services personnel undergo the Heat Injury and Illness training workshop. They are advised on health and safety practices, and preventive measures to manage and treat heat stress. SEPTEMBER 2021 I STS JOURNEY
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Safety Matters
Creating Healthier Workplaces with
Ergonomics
E
mployees in the UAE spend up to 40 hours a week sitting in front of a computer. Such a sedentary workplace culture can lead to a number of health issues and musculoskeletal disorders - tendonitis, lower back strain, and carpal tunnel to name a few.
Here are three easy ways to improve workplace ergonomics:
The good news is that one can greatly reduce many of these risks by focusing on ergonomics. Ergonomics is the science of designing the office space in such a way to reduce fatigue and discomfort. With the employee wellness in mind, the QHSE team at STS Group organised an ergonomics session with the NMC Healthcare, in February this year. The online workshop was conducted by a licensed Physiotherapist from the NMC Specialty Hospital. The session focused on the proper use of Display Screen Equipment and included demonstrations of simple exercises and stretches that one could take to improve their posture.
1. Maintain Correct Posture and Proper Body Mechanics. • Chairs need to have good lower back support. • While sitting by keeping your feet on the floor. • Make sure chairs are adjusted to the correct height so that you can maintain a 90-degree angle at the hips, knees, and ankles. • Take frequent breaks from repetitive tasks. It’s important to change positions regularly - stand up, walk around, and stretch. 2. Set Up Computer Monitors Correctly. • The top of a computer monitor should be at eye level, about an arm’s length away. • Keep workstations properly lit and reduce glare from windows or other lighting sources. • Enlarge font sizes or change colour of monitor screen to reduce eyestrain. 3. Set Up Equipment Properly. • The computer mouse should be close to your keyboard and in easy reach. • Use your elbow to move the mouse, not the wrist. • Keyboards should be placed just above the level of your lap. • Keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle, and shoulders relaxed.
By following these simple steps one can foster a more productive and conducive place to work, be at home or in the office. A win-win for everyone!
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E L B M A E L R B C S M D A R R O C S W D R O W UNSCRAMBLE 10 SAFETY RELATED WORDS THAT YOU SEE IN AND AROUND THE SCHOOL BUS.
FEYSAT TRIFS CLUKEB PU POTS MAR INGALS RANGED EZNO RIFE GUSHENIRETIX RSIFT IDA ITK CERYNGEME TESIX ITONOM SERSONS SLURECANILEV SCAREMA SPG TANGCRIK 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
SAFETY FIRST BUCKLE UP STOP ARM SIGNAL DANGER ZONE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
FIRST AID KIT EMERGENCY EXITS MOTION SENSORS SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS GPS TRACKING
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