East Hills Boys’
Technology High
16 February 2015
YEAR 11
Georges River National Park
Dear Parent/Carer
An excursion to The Georges River National Park at Revesby has been organised for Year 11 Biology students on Monday, 2 March 2015. As part of the Preliminary Biology topic ‘A Local Ecosystem’, students are required to undertake a field study of their local ecosystems.
This year we have organised a field study trip of the Georges River National Park, under the guidance of the Georges River Environmental Education Centre. The centre has also arranged for a senior biologist to accompany us on our trip.
During this field study students will be able to observe and measure some of the abiotic parameters to which the plant and animal species are adapted and study the interaction between organisms in the ecosystem.
The completion of this field study and subsequent written report will form 20% of their assessment.
Students will assemble at school at 8.30am for roll call and then proceed to the park by bus. This field trip is a study of the local sandstone woodland ecosystem and we will be walking solidly for several hours. No facilities are provided for the hike and students must come prepared with water, hat, sunscreen, lunch and appropriate clothing. Should your child not be properly prepared on the day, he will not be allowed to participate in the field trip and he will be sent home immediately. Senior students must take responsibility for their safety needs on the day. Refer to the attached information sheet.
We anticipate returning to school before3.00pm, at which time students will be dismissed.
It is also important to inform me if your child has any special behavioural or medical needs (e.g. allergies to bee stings, insect bits, asthma etc.) before the trip. Please refer to the attached permission slip.
In case of bad weather the excursion may have to be cancelled. The Georges River Environmental Education Centre will make the decision on the morning of the excursion. Please phone the school between 7.30 am and 8.00 am on the morning of the excursion should this be the case.
Yours truly
MRS R NAIKER MS M CHRISTENSON MR K ELGOOD
Year 11 Biology Teacher Head Teacher SciencePrincipal
East Hills Boys’
Technology High
16 February 2015
YEAR 11
Georges River National Park
PERMISSION NOTE
STUDENTS’S NAME: ______ROLL CLASS: ______
I give permission for my child to attend the Georges River National Park Excursion on Monday, 2 March 2015. I understand students will be travelling to and from the venue by bus and I am fully aware of the requirements of this excursion.
I am also aware that should my child turn up to the field trip not properly prepared he will not be permitted to join the excursion and I will be required to collect him immediately.
Medical Conditions
Please advise me if there are any relevant medical condition that my affect your child during this excursion (e.g. allergies to bee stings, insect bits asthma etc.).
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Student’s signature: ______
Parent’s/Carer’s name: ______
Parent’s/Carer’s Signature: ______
Date: ______
Emergency contact name: ______
Emergency contact phone number: / ______(Home)______(Mobile)
______(Work)
YEAR 11
Georges River National Park
INFORMATION SHEET
Thank you for your support in allowing your child to participate in this excursion. It is important that your child read this information sheet carefully for their comfort and safety.
Please discuss these details with your child before returning the permission slip.
Date / 2 March 2015Location / Georges River National Park, Henry Lawson Drive Revesby (at the end of River Road).
Cost / $25.00includes park entry and bus fare.
Transport / Transic Scenic Tours
Departure time / Roll call is at 8.30am
Return time / We anticipate returning to school before3.00pm
Permission Note / Is to be given to MrsNaiker byWednesday, 25 February 2015.
Payment / Is to be made to the Front Office by Wednesday, 25 February 2015.
Duration of trip /
- Students will be studying an open sandstone woodland ecosystem for several hours.
- It is extremely important that students come well prepared for this trip.
- Each student must bring a clipboard, paper, pen, pencil and eraser on the day.
Safety / To ensure the field trip is safe and enjoyable please:
- Under no circumstances tamper with any plant or wildlife.
- Ensure you wear appropriate clothing. It is suggested that jeans, long shorts and collared shirts (no singlet tops) be worn together with good walking boots.
- Ensure you bring a hat and sunscreen on the day.
- Bring bottled water. We will be walking for over 4 hours and it is important that you do not dehydrate.
Food
/ There are no facilities to purchase food. Students are to take their own lunch, recess and snacks together will plenty of water.Risk Assessment
/ During class we will be discussing the risks associated with the field trip and each student will complete a Risk Assessment.In case of bad weather / Please phone the school between 7.30 am and 8.00 am on the morning of the excursion.
Non attendance due to illness / Please inform the school on 9773 7806, as soon as possible, if your child is sick and unable to attend the excursion.
Sharon Cullis
Georges River Environmental Education Centre
Central Ave
CHIPPING NORTON 2170
Fax: 9755 3190
Phone: 97553189
19 December 2005
Dear Sharon
My name is Elizabeth George and I am the Year 11 Biology Teacher at East Hills Boys HS for 2006.
Our assistant Pam Deller has been trying to contact you to arrange an excursion for our Year 11 students next year; unfortunately, she has not been able to catch up with you.
Biology is a subject that has not been offered to students here for a number of years and I am hoping that you may have a planned excursion which will cover the following study areas:
Local terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems around the Georges River
Biotic and abiotic factors that make up an ecosystem
Relationships between species within an ecosystem.
If possible I would like to book the excursion for either the 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23 or 24 of March 2006.
Could you also answer the following:
- Do you have any samples of worksheets etc which could be mailed or faxed to me?
- Is there any cost involved with the excursion?
- If so how would you like it to be paid?
- The duration of the excursion?
- Has a risk assessment already been prepared?
- Any safety aspects I need to consider, dress code, equipment I need to bring etc?
I am sorry I have not been able to speak to you directly, however, the term is nearly finished hence my fax to you today.
Thank you for your assistance and I hope you have a safe & happy holiday break.
Elizabeth George
8.00 amReturn: / Approximately 2.00 pm
Cost: / $30 per student – This amount will cover the cost of hiring a bus to take the students to the filtration plant and conveying them afterwards to the sewerage plant and then back to our school.
Bus
Requirements: / Sturdy shoes and sensible casual clothing. No open shoes.
Clipboard and writing materials.
Permission Note: / Is to be given to Ms Christenson or Mrs George by 11 June 2004.
Payment: / Is to be made to the Front Office by 11 June 2004.
Sharon phoned 21.12.05 adjustments as at 31.1.06
Excursion will be held at the Georges River National Park on Henry Lawson Drive (End of River Road)
You will be studying an open sandstone woodland ecosystem
Cost is $5.50 per head plus $1.00 entry to park. We will received 2 invoices one from the Georges River Educational Centre and the other from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. There is no GST components.
Meet at the entrance to the Park at around 9.15 am to start at 9.30 am.
The excursion will conclude at 2.30 pm
Proposed date will be either 9 March.
Approx 15 students will be attending.
Risk assessment will be forwarded to you next year (she has lost it for the moment), remind her about it again next year if she has not faxed it to you.
The school will be invoiced for the cost of the excursion.
Duty of care is with the teacher at all times.
Students must wear clothing suitable for heavy bushwalking.
No uniform is required, however it is suggested that jeans, long shorts and collared shirts be worn together with good walking boots. No singlet tops to be worn
There are no facilities to purchase food.
Students are to take their own lunch, recess and snacks together will plenty of water.
Ensure students have hats and sunscreen on the day.
Confirmation of the excursion will be faxed today once she has organized the excursion with the senior biologist.
Sharon has extended an invitation to Pam to attend.
EAST HILLS BOYS TECHNOLGY HIGH SCHOOL
EXCURSION - OHS RISK MANAGEMENT FORM
Work Activity: / Managing Student on excursion Location: Off school premisesHazard/Risk Identification
Type/Cause / Assess Priority (Matrix) /Current Controls
(Are these still effective?Can they be improved?) / Risk Management Plan
Elimination or Control Measures
(Elimination Substitution Isolation Engineering Administration PPE)
Risk of injury/illness
due to
/Action Summary
Immediate/Interim Control
/Who
/When
1. Poor student behaviour- student – student
- student – staff
3. Student injured / 2 /
- Students are given or teacher discusses school Code of Behaviour and Behaviour Management Plan and the consequences before excursion.
- Well-documented route of travel to and from excursion given to student’s parents and school.
- Direct supervision of students
- First aid kit taken
- Communicate modified Behaviour Management & Crisis Management strategies to all staff on excursion. (Administration)
- Teacher can ring parents (using a mobile phone) and relinquish responsibility of child. Parents asked to pick up their child or organise a means of transport to take child home. (Elimination)
- Coordinator of excursion to complete school “Excursion Permission Note” (Administration)
- Maps of route and venue given to students with contact phone numbers of teacher, venue and the school (Administration)
- Seek medical assistance if required vis 000 phone number.
- Take PPE for students if required
Coordinator
Or
DP
Excursion
Coordinator
Excursion
Coordinator
Long Term Control
- Ongoing counselling for student. (Administration)
- Application to District for STB support. (Administration)
- Duress alarm system required for staff to call for assistance i.e. walkie-talkie. (Administration)
DSC
HT/DP HT/DP
Consulted with Staff involved staff; excursion venue, HT, DP and Principal
Coordinator: School Faculty Date: ______ / Action Plan Communicated to Staff involved staff; excursion venue, HT, DP and Principal
Via Staff Meetings
Monitor and Review
- Are the controls still effective?
- Have there been any changes?
- Are all staff aware of the controls?
- Have new hazards been identified?
- What further actions are required?
Section B
Overnight excursions - adviceAccommodation will be at the Outdoor Education Experience, Nentoura Road, Morisset NSW.
Travel will be by Bus.
The group will be supervised by Ms Christenson, Ms Napoli and camp coordinators.
Please read the attached sheets from the Outdoor Education Experience for additional information.
Overnight excursions - response
I understand that my child will stay overnight at the Morisset Outdoor Education Experience Centre.
Water or swimming activities - advice
The excursion will involve the following water or swimming activities: sailing and canoeing.
These activities will take place at: at the outdoor centre.
The centre will provide the necessary flotation devices to students who may require assistance in the water:
Water or swimming activities - response
In relation to the proposed water or swimming activities, I advise that my child is a: (please tick one)
strong swimmer / average swimmer / poor swimmer / non-swimmer
I advise that my child requires the following flotation device to assist him in the water:…………………………………………………………………………….
I undertake to provide this device so that my child can participate in the excursion. Yes / No
I give / do not give permission for my child to participate in the water or swimming activities.
Privacy - advice
The information provided on these forms is being obtained for the well being of your son.It will be used by the NSW Department of Education and Training for the planning of the Year 11 Camp.
Other persons and/or agencies that will be provided with this information are The Outdoor Education Experience Centre for the purpose of planning and risk assessment.
Provision of this information is required and will be stored securely until the completion of the camp.
If you do not provide all or any of this information then your child will be unable to attend the excursion.
You may correct any personal information provided at any time by contacting the school.
Section C
Medical information form
The information provided on […date…] by […name..] is being obtained for the purpose of ascertaining relevant medical information, requirements and other health care related needs about [….student name…] who is currently enrolled at the school and who may participate in school excursions, sporting activities or other educational or school activities conducted by or in conjunction with […name of school…].It will be used by officers of the NSW Department of Education and Training to assist planning, to support students, and to minimise risks when conducting school excursions, sporting or other school activities.
Other persons or agencies that may be provided with this information include, but are not limited to, volunteers and members of external organisations who join with the school or are otherwise involved in the planning or delivery of the excursion, sporting or other school activity; and persons that may be called upon to provide health care treatment or other assistance during or as a consequence of such excursions or activities.
Provision of this information is not required by law. However, a failure to provide the information maymean that your child can not participate in a particular excursion or school activity. In such circumstances the school will make available a sound alternative educational experience.
Provision of this information will significantly assist the school in planning a safer educational activity. It will be stored securely. If you have any concerns about provision of this information, please contact the school principal to discuss further.
You may correct any personal information provided at any time by contacting the school office.
Student name: ……………………………………………………
Medicare number (optional) …………………….……………
/ Class: ………………………Parent or caregiver contact details
Name: / ………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address: / ………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Home phone: ………………... / Work: ……………………..… / Mobile: ………………………
Doctor contact details
Name: / ………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address: / ………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Doctor’s telephone: / 1. ……………………………… / 2. …………………………….
Emergency contact(s) details (nominated by the parent or caregiver as alternate contact)
1. Name: …………………………………………….…… / Phone: …………………………
2. Name: …………………………………………….…… / Phone: …………………………
List existing medical conditions or illnesses (include asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergies etc.). Outline the treatment for each.
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Outline special dietary needs including possible reaction to inappropriate diet
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Medication(s) to be administered during the excursion. Include name of medication, instructions for administration, time of administration, and any possible reactions
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Signature: ………………………………………………………… / Date: …………………………
Please return this form by: / ……………………………………………………………………..…..
Section D
Risk Management Process
Risk management is a process consisting of well-defined steps which, when taken in sequence, support better decision making by contributing to a greater insight into risks and their impacts. Risk management processes are used to identify hazards and to assess and eliminate or control risks associated with activities.
Consultation with key stakeholders including staff, parents and external venue providers is a cental component of the risk management process.
Although the focus for risk management may differ from school to school, the same steps should be followed. These steps are consistent with the principles of risk management outlined in chapter 2 of the Occupational Health and SafetyRegulation 2001.
The five essential steps of the risk management process are:
1. Risk identification
2. Risk assessment
3. Risk elimination or control
4. Communicate the risk management plan
5. Monitoring and review.
Principals should also ensure that plans are documented and retained to assist in future planning of excursions.
In the context of student excursions the risk management process should examine, but not be limited to, the following:
- type and aims of the activity or program
- child protection issues
- age and experience of the participants
- special factors such as participants with medical conditions or disabilities
- level of adult supervision and support required
- level of skills and training required by adult support
- level of resourcing needed to support the activity
- DET policies or procedures relevant to the excursion activity
- type of information required by participants and their families
- method of communication required, e.g. interpreters
- potential risks and known dangers associated with the activity or program
- potential risks and known dangers associated with travel to the location
- availability of support services in the locality where activity is occurring
- contingency plans for addressing potential accidents or injury
- the venue used has public liability cover
- type of communication required if English is not the primary language spoken or read by students’ families.
Information gained from this examination would comprise the first step of the risk management process: risk identification.
Risks identified then need to be analysed and evaluated in terms of their potential impact for students and staff undertaking the excursion.
Risk management Flow Chart
A simple way of representing the risk management process as it applies to excursions is by using the following flow chart: