EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education

Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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EDP 133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 Assessment Sheet: Document Analysis


















Student Name: Achor Zhou
Tutor Group Teacher: Amanda McCabe
EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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Due Date: Thursday 8
th
of October
Word count:

EDP 133 Professional Practices in Primary Education
Assignment 1 Assessment Sheet: Document Analysis (30%)

Student:

Criteria Possible
Marks
Unacceptable Developing Acceptable Proficient Totals
Key points in
policy

4
Has not provided a
sufficiently broad coverage
of the key points of the
policy.
Mentions some or most of
the key ideas in the policy.
Covers the key points with
some description of each
aspect.
Succinctly and
systematically describes
the key points in each
section of the policy.

Three
Appropriate
scenarios
4
Most scenarios are not
specifically related to the
intent of the policy
document.
Scenarios are clear but
very similar in nature, and
links to the policy may be
tenuous.
Scenarios described are
relevant to the policy and
briefly described.
Each of the 3 scenarios is
clearly outlined & highly
relevant to the policy
document. Examples of
action are linked to policy.

Appropriate
plans for action

6
Plans of action are vague
and no detail or specific
examples are provided.
Plans of action are
described but specific
examples are lacking
and/or links to policy may
be tenuous.
Plans of action are briefly
described with examples.
Distinctly different action
plans are identified with
very specific details and
examples provided.

Relevance of
policy document
4
Has not shown an
understanding of why the
policy has been devised
Acknowledges that the
policy is necessary but
provides no example or
depth.
Provides a description of
the rationale behind the
policy but lacks real depth.
Clearly and succinctly
explains the reasons for the
policy in the current
teaching context.

Clarity, flow
structure and
phrasing
4
Paragraphing is poor &
general structure makes
the work hard to follow.
A significant deficiency in
structure but clarity & flow
is reasonable.
Some minor errors or
deficiencies in structure,
Well organized structure of
sentences & paragraphs
gives high degree of clarity
& flow.

Referencing
technique etc.

4
Significant amounts of
source material are not
cited & in-text referencing
is non-existent.
Some limited use of in-text
referencing but formatting
and listing needs attention.
Good use of in-text
referencing but attention
needs to be paid to
referencing format.
In-text referencing uses the
APA format & source
material is cited & listed.

Editing of work


2
Contains an unacceptable
number of typographical,
spelling & punctuation
errors
N/A The work contains a small
number of typographical,
spelling & punctuation
errors.
The work contains virtually
no typographical or spelling
& punctuation errors.

Required format
and length
2
Significantly under or over
the word limit and/or with
use of inappropriate
viewpoint.
N/A Word limit is satisfactory
but style & viewpoint are
not consistent throughout.
Word limit +/- 10% is
adhered to & the work is
written in the third person
viewpoint.

Grade and Mark Equivalents

EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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The Excursion Policy as compiled by the NSW Department of Education Policies and
Procedures aims to protect the well-being of all students when they are not on school
premises. It is used as a guideline for those who propose an excursion, supervise the students
and anyone who participate in the excursion. The policy is important, as excursions are a
necessity; they exist to create a whole new learning experience for the students. Because
excursions are a necessity, there are a series of safety precautions and steps that need to be
taken to ensure the safety of the individuals when they are off school premises.
The policy applies to all that participate in an excursion; teacher, parent volunteers, students,
and professional activity supervisors. The policy states all excursions require the approval of
the school principal, after a risk assessment and management has been conducted. Risk
management (K. Citizen), a plan given to the school principle to assure the safety of students,
identifies the hazards in order to insure the childrens safety. The depth of the planning
depends on the nature of the excursion. Risk management informs the school and venue
providers what is to be involved within the excursion, such as activities, safety gear and
sports equipment.
The principal needs to consider how many teachers are needed to supervise the excursion,
depending on the students participation and the activity. Once the excursion has been
approved, the students need the signatured approval of a parent or guardian to attend the
excursion. In certain cases, an oral approval by the parent is sufficient permission. Oral
records must be noted and kept by the principal. Students are not to participate in any
unplanned activities that parents are unaware of, as the school can be fully liable if teachers
permits student to attend an excursion without permission from a parent or guardian. If a
student attended an excursion without consent and was injured during the excursion, the
school will be held legally responsible for example, if the student was not allowed to go to an
excursion to the beach to learn about marine life because the parents would not sign the
permission slip; but the teacher still takes them to go and the child gets injured the school
could be under fire for not following protocol. To avoid such situations, any students who do
not have signed consent should not be permitted to attend the excursion, but must be provided
with an equally educational activity.
High Distinction (24+) Distinction (21-23) Credit (18-20) Pass (15-17)
General Comment and Grade/Mark



EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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The consent form must inform the following: the time students should be ready, the date, the
venue, the activities the students will be participating in, a check list of what the student may
need to bring, and the cost of the excursion if required. Parents and guardians must be
notified if students are arriving after school hours, so that pickup and transport can be
organised. Parents and guardians must also inform the school of specific medical conditions
or special dietary needs in the consent forms.
Excursions abroad require the approval of the School Educational director at least 9 months
prior to departure date. The excursion should be over vacation time and must have the
approval of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in order to proceed.

Students are to be informed prior to the excursion on what is to be expected of them. They
are to be made briefed on safety procedures and acceptable public behaviour. It is important
that students are aware of stranger danger and are aware they should never tell anyone
personal information for example where you live. There have been a lot of cases worldwide
on children being abducted by strangers because they were left unsupervised.
Transport to the venue is to be included in the risk management plan. Whether it is walking
or via motor transport teachers must take appropriate safety precautions. If the venue is close
by it is okay for students to walk. The route must be assessed whether it is safe or not within
the risk management plan. Transport via trains or ferries require teachers to contact the
railway station or ferry management on safety procedures and concession fares. When
travelling by bus the school should try to hire a bus with seat belts especially for long
distance travels. Sometimes students are required to travel via aircraft to the excursion venue.
The principal must check for public liability insurance and travel insurance.
The volunteers and caregivers are to be thoroughly aware of the safety procedures and they
are to complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration (The Working with Children Employer
Guidelines February 2008) before they are allowed to supervise students. The staffs
supervising the excursion are to be familiar with the incident reporting policy. The incident
reporting policy briefs staff on what to do in case of an accident, medical emergencies etc.
The Prohibited Employment declaration prohibits people who have been convicted with a
sexual offence, child related violence etc. The only way prohibited person can supervise
children again is when there prohibited person status is being reviewed and overturned. At
least one supervisor must be update to date with First Aid procedures like performing CPR
for example. The carer should carry a first aid kit in case of any emergencies.
The excursion venue and activities are to be carefully planned prior to the excursion date.
Teachers are to visit the venue before the excursion date to do a risk assessment. Activities
are to be carefully chosen. For example rock climbing will require the correct safety
equipment and a professional in the area of expertise.
EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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Duty of care incorporates common sense for example an excursion to the beach will require
the students to bring sunscreen and a hat to protect them. Students should never be forced
into an activity they dont feel comfortable in doing. Some students may have a phobia or a
traumatizing experience if a student doesnt want to participate in an activity they should be
allowed to sit out and watch or be provided with an activity with equal learning value.

Swimming excursions are often incorporated into the curriculum because it promotes water
safety and helps the students to learn to swim. The principal must ensure that all safety
measures are taken.
Within the permission slip parents must inform the teachers their childs swimming
capabilities. Even if a childs parents state that their child is a proficient swimmer the teacher
still need to supervise the child. Imagine if teacher went by went completely the parents
word and allowed the student to swim in a wave pool if they are not strong swimmers.
Teachers can avoid high risks such as this by selecting a venue that is not over crowded. It is
easier to look after forty people in a pool then it is looking after a pool with 100 people.
Teachers need to have sufficient amount of staff monitoring the students at all times. There
have numerous cases were children have drowned because there wasnt enough supervising
or they werent keeping an eye on everyone for example the Amarni case in 2008. It is
preferable to have at least one of the supervisors have a Bronze Medal obtained by the Royal
Life Saving Society Australia or a life guard on standby.
Billeting is very much part of an excursion, billeting is when a students stays with a host
family for a period of time. This usually occurs when students are travelling away to another
state or overseas. Billeting can be a rewarding experience but it can also put a student in
danger if things are not carefully investigated and the child is placed in harms way. It is
always possible that student can be placed in home where there is a history of physical and
mental abuse. Teachers can avoid this by getting the caregivers to sign an Acknowledgement
of Billeting conditions for billeting families as it is stated within the excursion policy. Even
though the form asks if there is anything that could preclude the students stay just going by
the parents words may not be wise because there is normally no background check involved.
Teachers are obligated to allocate the student to another family if they suspect the students
safety is at risk.
It is common in primary school to have excursions to the zoos or petting farms as part of
learning about animals. Though the animals may seem harmless teachers need to take
extensive precautions to ensure the safety. Some students may never have encountered
certain animals for example horses, students may be unaware that horses can buck if they feel
threatened or startled.
It is the teachers responsibility to prevent this by briefing the students on the correct way to
behave around animals. Teachers should take a look at the Animal Welfare Guidelines (for
EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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Teachers. Within the documents it briefs teachers on how to meet the requirements for the
use of animals for educational purposes.
Though the policy is covers an extensive amount of areas there is always room for
improvement. Like making it mandatory for billeting families to subjected to a criminal
background to ensure the safety of students. Things like this should be reviewed and changed
to incorporate further safety procedures to ensure the students are protected. At the end of the
day it is up to the teachers and principal to make the right decisions and ensure all excursions
are successfully and smoothly executed.

References
Excursion Policy via website
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/PD20040010.shtml
Excursion implementation procedures via website
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/implement
ation_1_PD20040010.shtml
Risk management via website
https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/policies/student_admin/excursions/excursion_pol/riskmanage.doc
Prohibited employment documents via website
http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/kids/working/prohibitedemployment.cfm
Animal welfare policy via website
http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/animalsinschools/resources/guidelines/index.htm









EDP133 Professional Practice in Primary Education
Assignment 1 - Document Analysis By: Achor Zhou

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