Camps & excursions guidelines for schools and preschools

7.2 Events, functions, performances — public venue

Preschools: Not recommended unless modified to ensure activity is developmentally appropriate

7.2.1 Special events

Occasions involving large crowds in the streets or public venues, eg Royal Adelaide Show, Come Out parades, sporting events at Football Park, Adelaide Oval etc

Preschools: Not recommended unless modified to ensure activity is developmentally appropriate
Leadership team qualifications and experience
Teacher-in-charge / instructors:

Knowledge of the venue including first aid locations

First Aid:

See 2.5.4.

Leadership team member -to-student/child ratio

• 
  1:6 for Preschool–year 2
  
• 
  1:10 for years 3–7
  
• 
  1:15 for years 8–12.
  
• 
  Minimum of two leaders required
  
• 
  Highly dependent on factors such as venue, crowd size, students/children seated or circulating etc.
  

Safety/supervision

• 
  Students/children should be encouraged to wear clothing that identifies them as part of the group, eg school/preschool uniform — bright hats or shirts are helpful in large crowds
  
• 
  Participants must know contingency plans for students/children who become separated from the group
  
• 
  Meeting place should be established for the group to return to should they break into smaller groups or become separated.
  

7.2.2 Dinners, formals, graduations

Formals, presentations, dinners, graduations — includes off-campus functions.

Preschools: Not recommended unless modified to ensure activity is developmentally appropriate
Leadership team qualifications and experience
Teacher-in-charge / instructors:

• 
  Experience in supervising students in out-of-school-hours situations
  

First Aid:

See 2.5.4.

Leadership team member -to-student ratio

• 
  1:20
  
• 
  Minimum of two leaders required
  

Safety/supervision

Schools are discouraged from permitting activities involving the consumption of alcohol when students are present. Issues related to the consumption of alcohol by mature-age students and teachers must be resolved by the principal before the event. (See also 3.4.1 ‘Alcohol’)

If a function will be held at licensed premises and adult students, partners or parents are attending, the matter of alcohol and appropriate behaviour standards must be clarified with all participants in advance.
Information to parents must include the following:

• 
  times of start and finish
  
• 
  dress standards
  
• 
  who is required to attend
  
• 
  illegality of the consumption of alcohol by minors in public
  
• 
  issues related to consumption of alcohol by mature-age students (before, during and after the event), particularly with regard to driving.
  

Where alcohol is available and underage students are present:

• 
  teachers must, at the commencement of the evening, restate rules relating to underage drinking
  
• 
  teachers should be rostered on duty to supervise students not supervised by their parents
  
• 
  where parents are available to supervise students, it is their responsibility to ensure that underage students do not drink alcohol.
  

7.2.3 Performances and public venues

Visits to DECS Outreach Education sites (Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Law Courts, Art Gallery of SA, Migration Museum, National Aboriginal Cultural Institute – Tandanya, Parliament House, South Australian Maritime Museum, South Australian Museum) or other related public institutions such as museums or galleries; or attendance at cultural events and performances such as plays, opera, orchestra, concerts and movies.

Teachers should ensure when booking the program that the content and design is appropriate to the age level of their children/students.
Leadership team qualifications and experience
Teacher-in-charge / instructors:

• 
  Experience in supervising students/children in ‘out of –school’ hours situations
  
• 
  Familiarity with the schools/preschools student/child behaviour policy
  

Other Leaders:

If visiting a DECS Outreach Education site, book the program well in advance, clarify what activities students/children will be engaged in, check what supervision is required and inquire about what pre-visit activities may be available.

First Aid:

See 2.5.4.

Leadership team-to-student ratio

• 
  1:6 for Preschool–year 2
  
• 
  1:10 for years 3–7
  
• 
  1:15 for years 8–12
  
• 
  Minimum of two leaders required
  
• 
  Highly dependent on factors such as venue, crowd size, students/children seated or circulating and whether activities are conducted in small groups or as a whole group.
  
• 
  Where an exhibition has an entrance fee, subject to negotiation supervisors may be admitted free based upon the ratios outlined above.
  

Safety/supervision

• 
  Members of the leadership team on the excursion have a duty of care for all students for the duration of the excursion
  
• 
  Students/children must have a clear understanding of audience behaviour requirements before the visit
  
• 
  Leaders should be spread throughout the student/child group
  
• 
  Programs should be booked well in advance to ensure a place and maximise opportunities for learning
  
• 
  Minimise carrying of students’/children's bags to avoid storage and security problems.
  
• 
  Students should understand that they are in a public space, that they will need to respect others and be aware of ‘stranger danger’.
  

7.2.4 School socials

Generally taking the form of dances for upper primary and secondary students on the school site after hours.

Preschools: Not recommended unless modified to ensure activity is developmentally appropriate
Leadership team qualifications and experience
Teacher-in-charge / instructors:

Experience in supervising students in out-of-school-hours situations

First Aid:

See 2.5.4.

Leadership team-to-student ratio

• 
  1:20
  
• 
  Minimum of two leaders required
  

Area/location

• 
  Large, obstruction-free area.
  

Equipment/preparation

• 
  Notification to parents to include:
  
• 
  noise levels (See OHS&W Manual)
  
• 
  security arrangements, eg locking perimeter doors to exclude gatecrashers
  
• 
  drop-off and pick-up times, with clear information about responsibilities after function has finished.
  

Safety/supervision

• 
  Monitor noise levels for possible hearing damage
  
• 
  Take care with use of smoke and mist effects
  
• 
  Avoid using strobe lights, which can trigger epilepsy attacks in sufferers
  
• 
  Ensure sufficient teachers in attendance to deal with any incidents while others maintain supervision.