Education Outside the Classroom Guidelines

Purpose

This policy outlines the procedures and expectations for planning and conducting educational activities outside the classroom at Avondale School. It ensures all such activities align with curriculum outcomes, uphold student safety, and reflect the school’s Christian ethos and values.

Definition

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) includes any school-approved learning activity that occurs off-site or outside the regular classroom setting. This includes excursions, incursions, special events, camps, sporting events, environmental studies, cultural visits, and service learning experiences.

Guiding Principles

  • Activities must have clear educational objectives linked to curriculum outcomes.
  • All experiences should promote inclusivity, student engagement, and reflect Christian values.
  • Safety, planning, and communication are essential components of all EOTC activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

School Leadership:
  • Approve annual budgets for excursions, sporting activities and camps.
  • Approve all EOTC activities through Consent2Go.
  • Ensure appropriate risk management and duty of care are in place.
  • Review feedback and incident reports post-activity.
Teachers/Organisers:
  • Submit an EOTC proposal for approval at least 6 weeks before a one-day event and 1 term before an overnight camp.
  • Once approval has been given, conduct EOTC planning through Consent2Go, reading and acknowledging risk assessments, entering transport details, student lists, accompanying staff, and identifying medical needs.
  • Prepare and distribute all communication and documentation through Consent2Go.
  • Maintain accurate attendance and supervise students at all times.
  • Ensure activities are inclusive and accessible.
Parents/Caregivers:
  • Review and respond to digital consent forms via Consent2Go.
  • Provide relevant health and contact information for students through the platform.
  • Support school expectations and respond to communications in a timely manner.
Students:
  • Follow all instructions and behave in a way that reflects school values.
  • Respect the environment, peers, and activity leaders.
  • Comply with dress codes, the Personal Device Policy and school rules.

Safety and Risk Management

  • All activities must comply with the school’s Risk Management and Child Protection Policies.
  • Staff must carry a first aid kit, as well as emergency contact information which is accessible through Consent2Go.
  • Staff must comply with the school’s Privacy Policy by ensuring the security of all student data.
  • Appropriate supervision ratios must be maintained, depending on the nature of the activity and the needs of the students.
  • Contingency plans must be in place for weather, emergencies, or other disruptions.

Transport and Logistics

  • Transport arrangements must meet safety and insurance requirements.
  • If school buses are used, all drivers must be approved by the school. This includes providing an appropriate licence for the vehicle(s) that they are driving, and be inducted to the school vehicles.

Activities on School Campus

  • In addition to planning through Consent2Go, learning spaces must be booked in advance including time for set-up and pack-up.
  • Parents and visitors to the site are required to sign in using the provided QR Code.
  • School leaders should be advised of any possible disruptions to the regular school program.

Curriculum Integration and Reflection

  • Activities should be embedded in the learning program and followed up with reflection or assessment tasks where applicable.
  • Students should be encouraged to reflect on their experiences in the light of their faith and learning.


EVALUATION: This policy was last updated in April 2025 and will be reviewed as part of a three-year school policy review cycle in 2028.