Students' Reaction and Behavior in Public Environments

School Excursions are fun learning experiences which take place outside of school sites. Excursions allow students to be exposed to potential risks and dangers. The Department of Education’s policy exists to highlight the significance of excursions. It also exists to manage the risks associated with excursions. The excursion policy used for in this report for examination is the New South Wales Department of Education Excursions Policy. This can be found at: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml?level=SchoolsHYPERLINK "https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml?level=Schools&categories=Schools%7CSchool+activities%7CExcursions"&HYPERLINK "https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml?level=Schools&categories=Schools%7CSchool+activities%7CExcursions"categories=Schools%7CSchool+activities%7CExcursions

The scenarios included in this report involve student’s reactions and behaviour in changed and public environments (specifically around animals), safe transportation to and from external sites and the delegation of responsibility whilst on excursions. These scenarios will give reasons as to why the policy is needed and how it can be used.

The basis of the excursion policy is to maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment for students and teachers. This policy was created as a guideline for teachers and schools for the planning and applying process. It exists to protect the students’ rights and to communicate the responsibilities of the student’s as well. The policy exists to help eliminate and manage possible risks. The excursion policy entails the rights and responsibilities of teachers on excursions. The Department of Education policy may also be used as a shield if the school is litigated.

The duty of care for students is one of the issues that the policy covers. This in turn ensures that students are treated the same as they would on school grounds. The safety and potential risks associated with excursions is also included in the policy along with the expected behaviour from students. The policy covers many other things including the responsibilities of different staff members, the reasons that excursions are organised, the reporting procedures for risks, hazards and incidents, and the consent needed from parents/caregivers for students to participate.

This policy is significant as it regulated and manages excursions and the attendees. It also helps to eliminate the many risks associated with excursions. The execution of the duty of care for students by teachers is outlined in this policy, helping to minimise danger. The excursion policy also aids and impacts upon the way a teacher will deal with certain situation and predicaments.

The main people that are subjected to the policy’s requirements are teachers. However, students, parents/caregivers, volunteers and external employees are also involved with the policy.

The hypothetical situations and scenarios will show why the policy is needed and how the policy will be used. It also shows how the policy protects the students while on an excursion and away from school grounds.

One hypothetical scenario which the policy document would have an impact is the visiting of students to a Zoo or Farm, where various animals are visible to the public. The sight of animals such as a tiger at a Zoo is very frightening for a student who reacts very critically and behaves in an inappropriate manner.

A suitable measure teachers and schools can take can be preparing students and making them aware of the kinds of animals they will encounter on their trip. Re-assuring the students that the animals are safe in barriers so they are not in danger would also be a suitable measure. The students should also be reminded that they need to be on their best behaviour, especially when representing the school on external sites.

In section 1.9 of the excursion policy, it clearly states that ‘students must behave appropriately at all times while on excursions, including when animals are encountered.’ This gives teachers and school strong instructions on what is expected of students whilst on an excursion.

Another hypothetical situation could be the organising of transport to and from the destination. A teacher needs to devise suitable transportation to the excursion location. She realises she needs to organise a bus and then plan a walking route to the excursion site.
The planning of the transportation should include the usage of maps and estimated times of arrival. They should also consider the climate of the particular day. Teachers should make themselves aware of any busy roads they need to cross or any other situation that could jeopardise the safety of the students and themselves. This is due to the fact that schools and teachers have a duty of care for students.

Section 1.3 states that ‘A duty of care is owed to the students in the school environment and while on excursions.’ Furthermore, Section 1.8 declares that ‘Safe transport or a safe walking route is to be organised for excursions.’ Both these sections give schools and teachers detailed instructions on what is expected from them. The planning of the transport ensures that the trip to the location will be a safe and harmless journey.

The last theoretical scenario in this report involves the delegation of responsibility whilst on an excursion. The scenario is as follows – A number of parents have attended an excursion. During the excursion one of the parents wants to take a detour with their child and his classmate while on the excursion, to show them something that wasn’t on the agenda.

The teacher and school should make parents conscious of the fact that students are under teachers care for the time while they are on the excursion. They should let the parent know that the teacher is responsible for anything that happens in that time and that they cannot allow them to go. Parents should understand that their children are under the control of the school and present teacher at the time.

Sections 1.4 and 4.3 in the excursion policy declare that ‘The Department’s duty of care owed to students for the duration of an excursion cannot be delegated from the school to parents, caregivers, volunteers or employees of external organisations’.

In conclusion, the New South Wales Department of Education Excursions Policy was produced to control and manage risks associated with excursions. They act as guidelines for schools and teachers and impact upon the way they deal with certain situations. The policy helps to sustain a harmless learning environment for all partakers while outside of school grounds. The policy also underlines the importance of excursions and why they are needed.
Reference List https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml?level=SchoolsHYPERLINK "https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml?level=Schools&categories=Schools%7CSchool+activities%7CExcursions"&HYPERLINK "https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml?level=Schools&categories=Schools%7CSchool+activities%7CExcursions"categories=Schools%7CSchool+activities%7CExcursions