Active and Close Supervision of children after school hours

Thank you to our Governing Council members who recently discussed the ongoing issues regarding active and close supervision after school. Please read through the following information carefully so you are aware of the school's expectations regarding active and close supervision if you stay on school grounds after the 3.05pm bell with your child/ren.

We want to remind all families of their responsibility and the importance of active and close supervision of children after school, particularly when you remain on school grounds after school dismissal.

Yard Duty teacher responsibilities

After school, the yard duty teacher’s responsibility is to supervise students who have not been collected by their parents. This teacher gathers any children remaining from their class lines and escorts them to the Reflection Garden, located near the preschool, where they will be supervised until their parents arrive. The yard duty teacher does not supervise the main yard, asphalt, or playground areas, as those students should be directly supervised by their own adult.

Unfortunately, there have been several incidents where children who remain on school grounds after the bell are not being actively supervised, leading to behavioural issues and conflicts that require staff intervention and restorative discussions the following day. As a school, we kindly request that all families who remain on school grounds after the 3.05pm bell actively supervise their children.

For example, please stand near the swing area if your child is on the playground, supervise from the amphitheatre if they are on the mini trampoline, remain near the sandpit during handball or nature play, supervise from the silver tables if your child is playing basketball, and accompany your child on the oval if they are playing there. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated in ensuring all students are safe and supervised after school.

Supervise your children closely

If your child continues to play on school grounds after the bell, it is vital that you keep them within your line of sight and calling distance at all times (within 5 metres). This ensures you are immediately available should they need your assistance. We have had incidents where children were playing in areas where their parent or caregiver was not visible or accessible. This raises concerns for their safety, especially when conflicts arise or children wander into unsafe areas.

Do not supervise from vehicles

Please do not remain in your car and rely on distant supervision, as this does not provide the necessary level of supervision to ensure your child's safety or enable you to support your child to resolve issues promptly if they arise. Children unsupervised by their parents/carers sometimes engage in behaviour which impacts their relationships and classroom dynamics the following school day.

Restricted areas:

• U3A Area: This is not part of Modbury School P-6 grounds, and students must not play in this area under any circumstances.

• Staff Car Park: This area is strictly off-limits for play. Staff rely on a clear and safe car park to exit at the end of the day without concerns about children running through the area. We ask families to remind their children to avoid entering the staff car park for safety reasons.

• Behind the OSU: This area is strictly off-limits for play.

• OSHC Windows and doorbell: This area is strictly off-limits for play.

• Behind the gym: This area is strictly off-limits for play.

Organised After-School activities

Families who have opted into organised after-school sports or activities held on the oval, asphalt, or gym are paying for their children to participate. All families need to ensure their children are not disturbing these sessions if they are not part of the activities. Respect for these organised programs is essential for their success and enjoyment.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for your cooperation in keeping Modbury School P-6 a safe and inclusive space for everyone. This not only promotes safety but also encourages respectful behaviour towards others.

Please ensure you have provided this information to other adults who may collect your child after school from time to time.

Swing Safety - it is expected that our students follow the swing procedure after school as well, supervised by their parents/families

We have recently reviewed how our students use the swing and, to ensure everyone’s safety, we have made some changes to our 'Using the Swing' expectations. This term classes have been busy learning the new expectations, with the key focus being that: children must always sit down while riding the swing, only one child can be on the swing at a time, and only one person should be pushing at a time.

These updated expectations help us keep the play space safe and enjoyable for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak with a staff member.

By working together, we can ensure our school remains a safe and positive environment for all students, staff, and families.