E.O.T.C Guidelines

Education Outside the Classroom

EOTC is defined as all those events that occur outside the classroom, both on and off-site, including all curriculum, sporting and cultural activities.

EOTC activities are defined by their level of risk. Planning and consent requirements are different for each level. See Risk Levels in EOTC.

The school's EOTC activities support and enhance the New Zealand Curriculum.

Children learn through experiences appropriate to their needs and environment. Children need a variety of experiences for maximum development, and should be given opportunities to explore and learn from the world outside the classroom.

EOTC activities must be approved by the principal, and overnight camps by the board of trustees, who hold the ultimate legal responsibility for approved excursions. All school health and safety policies apply to EOTC activities.

EOTC programmes:

enhance learning, through a variety of well-designed, first hand experiences
provide experiences for students that encourage awareness of the values and philosophies of the tangata whenua, and with other cultures within the school community
increase students' knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the school area, local district and other familiar and unfamiliar places
promote ecological awareness and personal responsibility towards environment
develop students' skills in observation, recording and organisation
help students develop self-confidence and a sense of adventure
assist students in their social development by placing them with others in unfamiliar situations
help students develop an attitude of responsibility, particularly towards their own safety and that of others
provide students with opportunities to work together in a group.

To make EOTC effective and safe, the school will:

involve students, parents, caregivers, and the community at all relevant stages of planning, preparation, performance and evaluation
be aware of cultural considerations of participants
ensure, where possible, that students are not excluded for financial or special reasons
provide alternative learning situations for students unable to participate
liaise with local early childhood centres and with contributing and receiving schools, where appropriate, so that EOTC programmes are co-ordinated
follow Ministry of Education regulations and guidelines on safety and supervision, risk management, leadership, and legal requirements
ensure adequate ongoing training for all staff involved in EOTC, including support staff attending approved workshops, seminars, courses and training and assessment schemes.

Taking children out of the school environment can provide them with life changing experiences which they will remember for the rest of their lives. It can also put them at risk and into unfamiliar situations. Careful planning and preparation is needed to minimise risks and make the activity a positive experience for each student.

Relevant Legislation:

Crimes Act, 1961

Children, Young Persons and their Families Act, 1989 – “In Loco Parentis”

Health and Safety in Employment Act, 2015

Vulnerable Children Act 2014

Accident Compensation and Rehabilitation Insurance Act