Schools must consider age, maturity and skill level of students when planning curriculum activities. Adjustments are required for
students with disability to support access and participation in the curriculum. Consult with the parents/carers of students with disability, or when appropriate the student, to ensure risks related to their child's participation in the activity are identified and managed.
Schools must consult current student medical information and/or health plans in accordance with the
managing students' health support needs at school procedure. Record information about any student condition (e.g. physical or medical) that may inhibit safe engagement in the activity and include specific support measures within emergency procedures.
Emergency plans and injury management procedures must be established for foreseeable incidents (evacuation procedure, provision of
first aid, student emergency contact details).
Adult supervisors must have:
- emergency contact details of all participants
- a medical alert list and a process for administering student medication
- communication equipment suitable to conditions (e.g. mobile phone) and a process for obtaining external assistance and/or receiving emergency advice.
Safety procedures must be determined for the location (e.g. barrier device used in the take-off area to signal when it is not safe to jump).
Access is required to
first aid equipment and consumables suitable for foreseeable incidents.
An adult with current emergency qualifications is required to be quickly accessible to the activity area. Emergency qualifications include:
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HLTAID009 - provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent and
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HLTAID011 - provide first aid or
SISSS00118 - sports trainer level 1 or equivalent.
Additionally for
high risk activities
Small, specialised groups only. This activity is unsuitable for class groups.
Students must be aged 10 or older with appropriate skill level as determined by the qualified adult supervisor (e.g. show promise in preparatory activities).
Induction is required for all adult supervisors on emergency procedures (e.g. provision of
first aid), safety procedures (e.g. barrier device used in the take-off area to signal when it is not safe to jump) and correct techniques. If the activity is conducted at an off-site facility, induction is to be informed by advice provided in consultation with expertise at the venue.
Instruction is required for students on safety procedures and correct techniques (e.g. wearing spikes).
Supervision
Principals make final supervision decisions for the activity. Sufficient adult supervision must be provided to manage the activity safely (including emergency situations).
For activities with students with a medical condition or disability that may impact on safety during the activity, consultation with parents is required prior to allocating supervision to determine the impact of students' medical condition or disability on safety during the activity.
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 assess
weather conditions prior to undertaking the activity, inspecting 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 closely supervise the approach, take-off and landing areas. Participants must not begin their run up until the landing area is clear
- must regularly monitor the landing pad condition and position
- must comply with control measures from the CARA record and adapt as hazards arise
- must suspend the activity if the conditions become unfavourable (e.g. poor visibility, extreme temperatures, thunderstorms, high winds, wet launch areas).
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.
At least one adult supervisor is required to be:
Medium risk level
- a registered teacher with competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching high jump or
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current
level 1 community athletics coach accreditation from Athletics Australia, or equivalent
High risk level
- a registered teacher with qualifications in Physical Education (or equivalent demonstrated capability) and competence (knowledge and skills) in teaching high risk high jump (e.g. successful completion of a high jump workshop approved by Athletics Australia) or
- an adult supervisor, working under the direct supervision of a registered teacher, with current
level 2 club coach accreditation from Athletics Australia.
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.
All risk levels
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.
Lines marked on grass in accordance with the
line marking of sports fields fact sheet.
Landing area padding constructed from material that allows both sufficient absorption from the fall and adequate resilience when compressed.
Minimum padding dimensions determined by activity risk level and age group:
- Medium risk under 17 years — Padding 5m x 3m with thickness between 15cm to 30cm as required by the
Little Athletics competition handbook (Section 2.5)
- Medium risk 17 years and over — Padding 5m x 3m with thickness of at least 50cm.
If multiple pads are used, the landing area must be covered and bound together to prevent any part of the athlete’s body from catching between the pads
If spikes are worn, the landing area must be covered by a single spike-proof top mat approximately 5cm thick and should have a weatherproof covering.
Ensure spikes, if worn, are no longer than 9mm (synthetic surface) or 12mm (grass surface) per the
Little Athletics competition handbook. Follow venue requirements, if available.
Collapsible or circular fibreglass crossbars only. Triangular bars or improvised equipment are not permitted.
All equipment must be used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Additionally for
high risk level activities:
Minimum padding dimensions determined by activity risk level and age group:
Common hazards and controls
Further to those listed, include any additional hazards and control measures considering the local context of the activity.
Biological material
Body fluids (e.g. blood, saliva, sweat) |
Manage bodily substances (e.g. blood) and open wounds before, during and after the activity. Consult
infection control guidelines and Queensland Health's
exclusion periods for infectious conditions poster for hygienic practices and first aid.
Follow appropriate cleaning and hygiene management practices when using shared equipment (departmental staff search 'practical subjects cleaning equipment' in OnePortal).
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Environmental conditions
Weather
Sun
Humidity |
The school's
sun safety strategy must be followed.
Assess weather (Bureau of Meteorology) and environmental conditions prior to participating outside.
Follow the
managing excessive heat in schools guidelines when participating in very hot or extreme heat conditions.
Ensure drink breaks occur regularly. Make water available for individual participants between drink breaks.
Dry equipment (including mats) before each jump if conditions cause dampness.
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Faulty or dangerous equipment |
Use markers made from non-injurious material (e.g. cardboard, foam).
Check equipment for damage before and during the activity.
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Playing surface |
Cover/fill jumping area hazards (e.g. sprinkler heads, holes) to be level with the surrounds.
Clear the approach and take-off area from loose items or debris. Do not participate on a slippery surface.
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Sharp implements or objects |
Pad any high jump stands that pose risk of laceration. |
Manual handling
Lifting and carrying equipment |
Use correct
manual handling processes when lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying.
Instruct students on procedures to lift and carry mats. That is:
- use handles at the side
- do not lift aloft to carry on backs, shoulders or heads.
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Physical exertion
Exhaustion and fatigue |
Conduct
warm-up/cool-down activities.
Continually monitor participants for signs of fatigue and exhaustion.
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Student issues |
Remove accessories (e.g. jewellery, lanyards) before participating.
Ensure fingernails and hair and clothing (e.g. pockets) do not interfere with the activity.
Clear the landing area, including the areas around the uprights and mats, before students start their approach.
Monitor and enforce the correct use of equipment including crossbars and landing area pads.
Implement procedures (e.g. roll marking mechanisms) to prevent separation from the group when participating off site.
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Visibility |
Adjust setup orientation to avoid the sun affecting the line of sight of participants.
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