Contents

Supervision & Welfare of Students Engaged in Sport & Physical Activity
Responsibilities of Principals
Supervision of Students Engaged in Specific Sports, Physical Activities and Outdoor Recreation Activities
Supervision of Students While Engaged in Activities Conducted Under the Auspices of the School
Guidelines for Billeting Students
Supervision at Major Events
Supervision Out of School Hours
Activities at Camps Organised and Conducted by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and Other Agencies
Small Group Activities
Unscheduled Activities
Liability
Physical Contact With Students

Sport Activities Approved By the Principal

Parents or caregivers must be notified and acknowledge the arrangements made by the school regarding travel and supervision for any approved sport activities which are held out of normal school hours. Such activities may include selection trials, training or coaching for school sport competitions, participation in the zone, area or state PSSA and CHSSA fixtures and community organised competitions which are an extension of the school sport program and have the approval of the principal.

Teachers involved would be deemed “on duty”. Teachers undertaking coaching or management roles in activities held out of normal school hours should adhere to the following basic rules to avoid possible allegations of improper conduct:

• Inform parents and keep to the exact times stated.
• If parents are late picking up students, get on with your own packing up, but with the student still in your sight while you work.
• Ask a parent to help you with the coaching as support.
• Avoid staying in your staff room with an individual student.

Where travel is involved for students or teachers:

• Obtain parents' written permission to drive students anywhere.
• When you seek approval, inform parents in writing about how you are travelling and who will be with you.
• Avoid driving an individual student home. Help the student to find an alternative way of getting there.

Note

If an adult other than a teacher is engaged for instruction or coaching, a teacher must be present to assume supervision responsibilities.

Off-site activities NOT endorsed by the school

Activities involving students conducted by external organisations not on school premises and without the endorsement of the school should be treated as privately arranged tours under the Other Visits section of the Excursions and Other Visits policy of the Department (97/137).

If a team of students from a school enters a community organised competition on the weekend or in the evening, and the activity is not endorsed by the school, or the team contains members who are not students of the school, they do so as private citizens and any teacher involved is also considered a private citizen.

In these circumstances, neither the school nor the Department of Education and Training will accept any responsibility in respect of students or teachers who may choose to become involved.

Where it is relevant, the parents of students who are entering competitions or events organised by external organisations should be informed of the above conditions.