Yard Duty & Supervision

Purpose

To ensure that Alfredton Primary School provides safe, active and effective supervision of students at all times during school-related activities, in accordance with the Department of Education’s duty of care requirements and Child Safe Standards

Scope

This policy applies to:

• all teaching staff
• education support staff
• casual relief teachers (CRTs)
• visiting teachers and volunteers engaged in supervision activities  

Policy

Alfredton Primary School is committed to maintaining a safe environment for all students.

The Principal is responsible for ensuring that a structured, documented and responsive supervision system is in place:

• before school
• during recess and lunch
• after school
• during excursions, camps and school activities
• during emergency or altered operating conditions

All staff have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to reduce foreseeable risks of harm to students.

School staff are required to follow all lawful and reasonable instructions relating to supervision duties.

Before and after school Supervision

Supervision is provided by school staff from:

• 8:30am – 3:45pm

Outside these times, students are not supervised by school staff.

Designated supervised entry points include:

• Cuthberts Road entrance
• Alfredton Reserve entrance

If students arrive before supervision commences or remain after supervision ends, staff will:

• contact parents/carers to advise of supervision arrangements
• request alternative arrangements be made
• ensure student safety until collection

Where a student remains uncollected after 3:45pm, the school may:

• contact parents/carers and emergency contacts
• refer the student to Out of School Hours Care (if available and consented)
• escalate to Victoria Police and/or Child Protection where required to ensure safety

Yard duty Supervision

All staff are required to participate in the yard duty roster as part of their professional responsibilities.

The Assistant Principal (or delegate) is responsible for:

• ensuring coverage is maintained.
• developing the yard duty roster
• communicating duties to staff

Yard duty Areas

The designated yard duty areas for our school are:-

AREA 1	Years four, five, six
AREA 2	NETBALL COURTS- 4.5.6.   TENNIS COURTS- F.1.2
AREA 3	PLAYGROUND:- Foundation, Year One. GROUNDS:- Foundation, Years One, two, three. BASKETBALL COURT:- ALL students. COURTYARD:- All students F-6.
AREA 4	PLAYGROUND:- Years two and three. PIRATE SHIP AREA:- all students
AREA 5	The OVAL Is for All Children to share.

Yard duty equipment and expectiations

Staff on yard duty must:

• wear a high-visibility vest provided by the school
• carry a yard duty first aid kit
• be familiar with student medical and safety information
• carry a mobile phone where appropriate for communication

All equipment is stored securely in staff areas/classrooms.

Supervision Responsibilities (Yard duty)

Staff on yard duty must:

• actively supervise and continuously scan assigned areas
• move regularly to ensure full visibility of students
• intervene promptly in unsafe or inappropriate behaviour
• reinforce school behavioural expectations and Student Code of Conduct
• ensure students remain in designated zones
• respond immediately to student first aid needs or send a student with a first aid card to the office
• report incidents, hazards or near misses via GradeXpert or EduSafe

Staff must not leave their designated area until relieved.

If relief does not arrive, staff must contact the office/leadership and remain on duty until replacement arrives.

A verbal handover must occur between staff during shift changes where applicable.e encouraged to speak to the supervising yard duty staff member if they require assistance during recess or lunchtime.

Classroom Supervision

Teachers are responsible for supervising all students in their care during class time.

If a teacher must leave the classroom:

• they must contact the front office or leadership
• ensure supervision is arranged before leaving

Students must not be left unsupervised.

excursions, Camps and Activities

The Principal (or nominee) is responsible for ensuring adequate supervision during:

• excursions
• camps
• school events
• off-site activities

Supervision ratios and arrangements will be determined through:

• risk assessments
• activity type
• student needs
• Department excursion requirements

External providers do not remove school duty of care obligations.

Digital and remote Supervision

The school follows Department guidelines for:

• cybersafety and digital device use
• supervision in online learning environments

Where learning occurs on-site in flexible spaces (e.g. library, hall, classrooms), staff provide active supervision at all times.

Students requiring additional supervision

Additional supervision will be provided for students where required, including:

• students with disability
• students with identified additional needs
• students requiring behavioural or safety support

The Principal (or delegate) will allocate additional staffing or adjustments where necessary.

Emergency & Exceptional Circumstances

In emergencies, supervision arrangements will be implemented in line with the school’s:

• Emergency Management Plan
• Department emergency guidance

During remote or flexible learning, supervision requirements will follow Department operational guidance.

cOMMUNICATION

This policy will be communicated through:

• staff induction processes
• staff meetings and briefings
• staff handbook
• school newsletter (term reminders where relevant)
• school website

Information regarding before and after school supervision will be communicated to families at least annually and as required.

RELATED POLICIES AND LEGISLATION

This policy aligns with:

• Child Safe Standards (Vic)
• Duty of Care Policy (DET PAL)
• Supervision of Students Policy (DET PAL)
• Visitors in Schools Policy
• Excursions Policy
• Cybersafety and Responsible Use of Technologies
• Child Safety Policy
• Statement of Values and School Philosophy

POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL

This policy will be reviewed:

• every 2 years, or
• earlier if required due to Department policy changes, incidents, or operational review

Policy last reviewed	June 2026
Approved By	Principal
Next Scheduled Review Date	June 2028

This policy will also be updated if significant changes are made to school grounds that require a revision of Alfredton Primary School’s yard duty and supervision arrangements.