ISLAMIC COLLEGE OF BRISBANE. Primary School. Excursion Policy

Transcription

1 ISLAMIC COLLEGE OF BRISBANE Primary School Excursion Policy

2 RATIONALE AND PURPOSE All school excursions must be educational, curriculum based and school directed. Excursions that are not curriculum based should not be undertaken. They are aimed at complementing and assisting classroom learning. Excursions or special events are an important part of the curriculum program and all students are expected to participate as it allows students to consolidate classroom learning in real life contexts. While recognising the potential benefits of an educational excursion, schools need to recognise that excursions do interrupt normal learning routines and place additional financial pressure on parents. Furthermore, staff need to be aware of the legal and moral responsibility for student welfare and their duty of care. APPROVAL The Principal approves excursions after giving due consideration to the planning, safety of all participants, adequate supervision and child protection. Principals have the right to exclude a student from an excursion on the grounds of behaviour, risk to others or to the school s good name. RISK ASSESMENT A risk assessment must be completed to show that the excursion is safe in nature and location. The risk assessment should be completed in writing and signed by the teacher leading the excursion. The risk assessment pro-forma provides data on: travel arrangements, location, insurance, staff accreditation, activities, age group, equipment, supervision, access, egress (fire escape), emergencies, and first aid. Foreseeable and potential risks with documented control strategies must be provided. Excursion planners must cater for bad weather, altered schedules and emergencies.

3 Where another educational institution is being visited, it is important that duty of care issues are agreed to e.g. school rules, travel arrangements, supervision, restricted areas and dress code. Outside organisations e.g. sporting venues must provide their risk assessment and give evidence that they have fulfilled all child protection measures. It is the responsibility of the school to obtain these documents and to subsequently have a representative visit the site and verify the assessment. If the excursion involves adventure activities e.g. bush walking, swimming, a parent must sign permission for each specific adventure activity. Clear written guidelines for the excursion must be prepared and issued. These guidelines should contain information and directions about the duties and expectations of all those working in a supervisory capacity. COSTS The cost must be affordable and reasonable for all families. The School Accountant will provide guidance for excursion budgets and will maintain the necessary records. All receipts are to be given to the school office. PARENTS Students who do not possess a signed, parental or guardian s permission note, must not go on the excursion. Parents must be advised well beforehand in writing of the reasons, the details and the desired outcomes for the excursion, cost, itinerary, travel and transport plans, activities, clothing requirements, hygiene and health requirements, spending money, medical requirements and supervision so that they can complete or not complete the necessary consent form. Schools must advise parents that schools cannot be held responsible for students property during an excursion.

4 PRIVATE TRAVEL Only in exceptional cases will staff and parents be allowed to provide transport and approval will only be given to those persons with the correct licence, a good driving record, correct vehicle registration and insurance. LEADERSHIP Each excursion must have one nominated leader. The leader must be: - A teacher at the School. - Know the excursion area. - Be responsible for all aspects of the excursion. - Have a sound awareness of the risks involved. Supervisory staff, parent-helpers and students must be advised of the position of nominated leader for the purposes of authority and risk management. ON EXCURSION Medical Every excursion must have at least one teacher with knowledge of basic first aid and emergency care procedures. In general, the school will be responsible for all students on an excursion under the normal basis of student-teacher relationship. All overnight and all water excursions must have at least one adult staff member in attendance at all times who has a current qualification in First Aid and CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). Copies of medical information must be taken on excursion. If at any time a student requires medical attention and the parents cannot be contacted, the school s office must be asked for medical information from the school s file. Advice can also be sought from the Principal. Provisions must be made for students with special health or medication needs. Staff on excursions must carry a mobile phone and First Aid Kit.

5 Consent should be sought for teachers in charge of the excursion to authorise medical treatment for a student in the event that teachers were unable to contact the parents or guardians of a sick or injured student. SCHOOL UNIFORM Full school uniform must be worn to all excursions except when the nature of the activity requires alternative clothing (modest clothes for boys and girls including hijab for girls). Students who are not in full school uniform will not participate in the excursion. Girls from Grade 3 onwards are required to wear a hijab. BEHAVIOUR Students must behave appropriately at all times while on excursions, including when animals are encountered. Students, who demonstrate that they cannot follow instructions, will face the schools disciplinary action upon returning to school. SUPERVISIONS The ratio of teachers and supervisors to students for an excursion will depend on the teacher s risk assessment. The students must be adequately supervised at all times. Excursions must not include films that are of an inappropriate classification or nature. The excursion roll must be taken at intervals during the excursion appropriate to the activity being undertaken. Teachers cannot transfer their responsibilities to non-teachers. No supervisor is to be placed in a situation where there is potential for the making of allegations of improper conduct, e.g. accommodation or sleeping arrangements. Students are never allowed to leave supervision unaccompanied by another. E.g. travelling, shopping, going to the toilet, etc. Briefings are to be held daily during overnight excursion.

6 Alcohol, Pork and all pork products must not be consumed by teachers and helpers whilst on an excursion and in charge of students. EXCURSIONS WITH WATER ACTIVITIES Parents must be advised in writing about any planned water activities. A consent form must be received from the parents. Parents should indicate whether their child is a strong, average, below average or non- swimmer. This will not affect the supervision. Some special requirements may be required for some students, e.g. flotation devices. Immediately before the commencement of any water activity, the prevailing condition must be examined by the supervising teacher for any possible dangers. For water or near water excursions, at least one adult staff member in attendance at all times must have a current qualification in First Aid and CPR. BRIEFING OF STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEER PARENTS Parents, caregivers and volunteers may have an opportunity to assist with some excursions. This may be restricted by numbers and parents must be aware that their attendance is to support the teacher and the excursion program. Prior to any excursion, students should be briefed on the school s expectations of their behaviour. Students should also be briefed about unexpected situations and risks that might occur during the excursion and to discuss strategies, consistent with the risk management plan, for eliminating or controlling risks. Students participating in excursions to communities which are culturally different to their own should be briefed on cultural sensitivities and appropriate communication in cross-cultural contexts.

7 Prior to any excursion, parent volunteers should be briefed regarding: - Their role, responsibilities, duty of care and the risk assessment; - The school s expectations regarding student behaviour and their role to refer misbehaviour or other issues to the class teacher or executive in charge of the excursion; - The clothing requirements (Please refer to College Dress Code Policy). EXCURSION/CHANGE OF ROUTINE REFUNDS Refunds will be issued only if a medical certificate is provided for non-attendance. According to the Behaviour Management Policy, any student who has paid for an excursion, then moves to Red Level or gets Yellow Behaviour Card before the excursion date will not be issued a refund. PROCEDURES Before excursion When planning excursions the following points should be considered: Preliminary organisation with venue for suitable dates, times, costing. Contingency plans In the event of inclement weather or change in the excursion environment A risk assessment is to be conducted and a risk management plan developed before seeking approval for any excursion. Transport the Teacher in Charge is responsible for organising appropriate and adequate transport. The College Admin Officer will assist with all bus bookings. NB. Any teacher, parent or other approved person providing transport to or from an excursion must be appropriately licensed and the car registered (with comprehensive motor vehicle insurance). A permission note must be obtained from parent/carer whose child is travelling in a private vehicle. Permission letters all excursions must use the Notification of an excursion template. Notification of an excursion and permission note must be sent at least two weeks before the excursion. The permission note must be approved and signed by the Principal before it is distributed. Student medical details a print out of students emergency medical details can be obtained from TASS. Ensure that a First Aid kit is adequately stocked and that emergency procedures are drawn up Ensure all permission slips are returned and complete.

8 Excursion day Take First Aid kit and student medical details. Ensure adequate and active supervision is maintained at all times. This will depend on the nature of the excursion, the age of students, etc. When taking a group with two teachers one teacher should be at the head of the group and the other at the back. Should an accident occur follow the following procedures: - The student should, if possible, be treated on the spot by the teacher. - Assistance/help (eg ambulance) should be sent for on the mobile phone - Contact the College Admin Officer, Deputy Principal, Principal (only one person needs to be contacted) - Parent/carer should be informed as to the exact nature of the accident and the treatment the student has received. Post Excursion Return First Aid kit. Liaise with Accountant regarding any students who have missed excursion. If an accident occurred, an incident Report filled out on return. Evaluate excursion.