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DET NSW School Sports Unit |
Guidelines for the Safe Conduct of Sport and Physical Activity in Schools |
Last updated: March 2007 |
Supervision of Students Engaged in Specific Sports, Physical Activities and Outdoor Recreation Activ | |
Contents
At the discretion of the principal, the number of supervising teachers, at times, will be greater
Students should not be permitted to leave the school grounds before the normal school finishing time, or the scheduled finishing time at a non-school venue, unless prior permission has been obtained from the parents or caregivers of the students concerned. Factors relating to dismissal times may include the nature of the activity or sport, travel arrangements, distance to the venue and the abolition of the normal lunch break in the case of students travelling to inter-school fixtures. In general, the teacher to student ratio for scheduled sport activities should not exceed 1:30. However, a significant number of sporting activities, particularly aquatic and outdoor recreation activities, have specific teacher/instructor to student ratios. Where relevant this information has been noted in the Guidelines for Specific Activities section of this document. Any activity involving swimming or water activities and/or overnight stays is to be accompanied by a member of staff who possesses current training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and emergency care. All other activities must be accompanied by a member of staff who has undertaken emergency care training. Appropriately qualified or experienced adults involved in activities as leaders, instructors or assistants may be included in the supervision plan provided that:
Principals should define expectations in relation to non-staff instructors (eg. those engaged to instruct aerobics, any form of martial arts, roller-skating, abseiling or canoeing) and the supervising teacher. Prior to engaging the services of a non-staff member, the principal should ascertain their level of expertise or experience, qualifications/training and experience in providing instruction to school students in the activity. Where an adult other than a teacher accompanies the group to provide instruction or to assist with supervision, a teacher must still take overall responsibility for the supervision of students. Principals should assure themselves of the bona fides of adults who accompany groups to assist with supervision, are engaged to provide instruction or any other service. Refer to Working with Children Check - Procedures for Principals (January 2006). On overnight trips supervisory and accommodation arrangements are to be such that no staff member is placed in a position where there is potential for allegations of improper conduct to be made. In particular, sleeping arrangements should not place any adults in a situation where the propriety of their behaviour could be questioned. Likewise, sleeping and supervisory arrangements should minimise the possibility of conduct of a sexual nature between students. On overnight outdoor recreation activities, teaching staff have an obligation to supervise students for the whole period of the activity. Where senior students travel to venues by private car, principals should ensure that conditions for the use of private vehicles are in place and adhered to, particularly in the case of passengers. Principals should refer to the Memorandum: Use of Private Motor Vehicles by Students (85/340). Where small groups of students have to travel away from school (eg. 3 or 4 competitors to a carnival), parents or caregivers must be notified and give approval for such arrangements. The principal must ensure that suitable arrangements for travel and supervision are provided. Coaching competencyProspective coaches or instructors should possess the relevant competencies to safely and effectively manage the proposed activity. Competency assessment should take into account the nature and type of activity, level at which the game is to be played (eg. intra-school or zone competitions), and the experience and ability of the participants. Schools may consider facilitating or supporting teachers, inexperienced in some sports, with training and development opportunities in the area of coaching. Additionally, schools could provide teachers with information and resources (or direction to resources) to assist their organisation. NOTE Due to the potentially higher risks associated with them, certain sports and outdoor recreation activities require coaches or instructors to have obtained a range of relevant coaching or instruction competencies. Where so indicated in the Guidelines for Specific Activities section of this document, principals should ensure that coaches/instructors have the specified competency levels to safely and effectively implement the activity. Coaches or instructors may be deemed to have sufficient competency where they can demonstrate the achievement of formal accreditation associated with the activity or alternatively where they can demonstrate experience or competencies which are applicable to the activity. The National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) allows each national sporting organisation to determine the number of levels in their coach accreditation pathway. The attainment of a NCAS coaching qualification, in a particular sport, at the required level, would provide sufficient evidence of competency and enable a prospective coach to effectively implement a sporting activity. NCAS training programs include the following components:
Coaching general principles can be accessed online at www.ausport.gov.au/coach/ncas.asp . Note that completion of the coaching general principles only component does not provide a coaching accreditation. Teachers can also apply for recognition of prior learning / current competence at the same website. A NCAS coaching accreditation at a higher level will provide coaches / instructors with additional competencies to conduct sport activities at the higher competition levels. Where a teacher with the necessary competencies is unavailable, a suitably qualified community member may be engaged as the coach or instructor. In these instances, a teacher must be present to take overall responsibility of the group. Qualified referees, umpires or judges should be provided, if possible, for inter-school sport competition fixtures. REMEMBER All sports activities and excursions involving swimming or water activities and all overnight excursions must be accompanied by an employee of the Department of Education and Training who has appropriate and current training in cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). All other sporting events and activities must be accompanied by an employee of the Department of Education and Training who has current training in emergency care. Re-accreditation for CPR is required annually and every three years for the emergency care qualification. Teachers appointed as coaches should:
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