Supervision
Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).
The number of adult supervisors required to fulfil emergency and supervision roles must consider the nature of the activity, students' ages, abilities and specialised learning, access and/or health needs.
Before the activity, all adult supervisors:
- must be familiar with the contents of the CARA record
- must inspect the intended location in order to identify variable risks, hazards and potential dangers.
During the activity, all adult supervisors:
- must be readily identifiable
- must closely monitor students with health support needs
- must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
- must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable.
Supervisor qualifications
Principals make final decisions in determining supervisor capability (competence, relevance and currency) and are responsible for encouraging and enabling school-based activity supervisors to raise their qualifications to improve safety standards.
All adult supervisors must comply with the
working with children authority—Blue Cards procedure and be able to identify, and respond to, risks or hazards that may emerge during the activity.
A registered teacher must be appointed to maintain overall responsibility for the activity.
For
low risk activities:
- At least one adult supervisor is required to be a registered teacher with knowledge of drama and its potential hazards or an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with competence (knowledge and skills) in drama.
For
medium risk activities:
- At least one adult supervisor is required to be a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching dance or an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with
CUA10113 – Certificate I in Dance or similar.
For
high risk drama activities:
- At least one adult supervisor is required to be a registered teacher with qualifications in drama (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching drama or an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with qualification or current accreditation in
10192NAT – Certificate II in Performing Arts or similar, and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching drama.
For
high risk dance activities:
- At least one adult supervisor is required to be a registered teacher with
CUA10113 – Certificate I in Dance or similar and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching dance or an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with
CUA20113 – Certificate II in Dance or similar and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching dance.
Facilities and equipment
The qualified adult supervisor of the activity, in consultation with the principal, determines the requirements for facilities and equipment appropriate to the local context.
Location must be suitable for the activity being undertaken, including sufficient space, adequate lighting and ventilation to ensure safe participation and that safety rules and procedures can be followed. This may be in a specialised facility (e.g. dance studio) or other suitable location. Undertake a reconnaissance of new or infrequently used locations to ascertain suitability.
A performance space that is flat, free from stones and loose objects, with even, firm and non-slip floors, which is large enough to accommodate the activity safely must be used. For dance activities, use a spring wooden floor if available.
Barres, if used, must be firmly secured and arranged to avoid congestion. Barre height must be appropriate to the abilities and physiques of the students.
Ceiling height must be adequate and free from obstruction/s (e.g. lighting, ceiling fans) if practicing lifting techniques.
Mirrors, if used, must be firmly attached (e.g. either fixed to the wall/s or securely supported).
Stage edges must be clearly visible and delineated, regardless of lighting.
Ensure props do not impede entry and exit to the stage.
For curriculum activities involving chemicals, consult the chemicals in curriculum activities notes. Note that all chemicals in schools must be managed in accordance with the department’s
chemical management procedure.
If a CARA record is required in OneSchool, a summary of chemicals, plant, equipment and/or materials used in the activity must be provided by entering directly onto the CARA record in OneSchool or by attaching a summary document. For chemicals, see sample template on page 2 of the chemicals in curriculum activities notes.
Adhere to
safe operating procedures for special effects and props (e.g. lighting, fog machine).
Ensure special effects and props (e.g. lighting, fog machine) consider the location and hazards (e.g. ventilation, proximity to flammable materials [e.g. stage curtains], volume of fog and overflow into depressions [e.g. stage pits], positioning [e.g. secure from being bumped]).
Participants must wear
personal protective equipment as relevant (e.g. enclosed footwear when dancing on non-sprung wooden floors).
Equipment must be sized to match the ability and strength of students.
All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
A retirement schedule must be developed to replace plant and equipment by manufacturers' nominated expiry date or when significant wear causes a hazard.
Ensure all equipment (e.g. costumes, lighting) is clean and safe to use.
A process for checking for damage for all equipment used in the activity must be established and employed.
If privately owned equipment is being used, principal approval and owner consent/insurance details must be obtained prior to the activity.