This policy explains what ‘duty of care’ means, how teaching staff may discharge their duty of care to students, and circumstances in which non-teaching staff, external providers and volunteers may owe students a duty of care.

This policy assists staff to respond appropriately where there is a concern for a child’s wellbeing or a disclosure of abuse.

These procedures aim to maximise the flexibility available to school communities in the configuration of the school day within the constraints of legislation and industrial agreements. The Director General determines the days in each year on which government schools are to be open for educational instruction of students.

The policy provides an operational framework to raise employees’ and line managers’ knowledge and understanding of entitlements and responsibilities related to leave eligibility, application and approval processes. It ensures that employees and line managers are informed about, leave procedures and leave management strategies under relevant Awards and Agreements.

Public School excursions are undertaken to further students’ learning and social skills development outside their normal school environment. Activities conducted outside the relatively protective environment of the school site involve greater risk. Therefore particular attention must be given to the safety and welfare of all excursion participants.