Toowoomba Agricultural Centre Handbook

HANDBOOK January 2012

275 North Street, Toowoomba Qld 4350

1 PH: 07 4634 4972 Fax: 07 4633 3730 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wilsontoeec.eq.edu.au

2 This handbook is a guide for permanent, frequent users of the Toowoomba Agricultural Centre (TAC) on some of the policies, procedures and requirements for usage. It should be read in conjunction with your own schools and Education Queensland’s relevant policies and procedures. Frequent users will be notified of significant alterations. Updates of this handbook, other information and forms are available via our website.

CONTENTS

1. Centre Profile 3 2. Centre Staff and their responsibilities 6 3. Visiting Teacher - Minimum Qualifications and Risk Assessment 7 4. Risk Assessments 7 5. Responsibilities of School Staff 8 6. Responsibilities of Students 10 7. Assessment Procedures 11 8. Bus Rules 12 9. Sunsmart Policy 13 10. Public Liability Insurance Information 14 11. Use of Rooms and Surrounding Area 14 12. Workplace Health and Safety 15 13. Your Obligations at a Workplace 16 14. Emergency Procedures 17  Accident / Illness  Lockdown Procedures  Fire Drill Procedures  Evacuation Route 15. Class Planning Example – Behind the Farm Gate Class 22

3 CENTRE PROFILE

The Toowoomba Agriculture Centre provides a high quality, practical and modern learning environment for Toowoomba schools to develop knowledge and understandings about Agriculture and related industries.

Purpose

The Centre provides students with learning opportunities in Agricultural Science in a practical working farm environment.

 Practical component for Senior Agricultural Science courses offered in High Schools.  Support High School academic programs and pathways to Tertiary study  Vocational Education and Training opportunities for students in year 10-12.  Provide opportunities for Early and Middle Phase students to gain experience in and learn through Agriculture.  Point of contact and reference for teachers across the curriculum.

Management

The Centre is the responsibility of the Principal of Toowoomba State High School. The curriculum and day to day operations are managed by a Head of Department – Agriculture who leads a team of staff in the effective delivery of learning programs and efficient administration of its resources. The Centre develops its own Annual Operation Plan to set goals and actions specific to the operation of the Centre. This is approved by the TSHS P&C and School Council. Stakeholder surveys will be completed annually and/or at exit. An annual stakeholder meeting provides opportunities for all to discuss and recommend future priorities.

Schools using the Ag Centre must sign a usage agreement that details responsibilities for OHSW issues, curriculum delivery and behaviour management, charges and fees, transport and other negotiated elements. All users must be familiar with this Centre’s Handbook.

4 Facilities

To meet the needs of the students a wide range of resources have been developed. These include:

Cattle

 Extensive yards, crush etc to support the cattle activities at the Centre  Specialised equipment for recording cattle data (TruTest weighing, and NLIS wand, both with Bluetooth capability)  Small commercial herd (approximately 25 breeders on a leased property 3km from the Centre). The breeding herd consists of a range of different breeds including Limousine, Angus, Murray Grey, Charolais and their crosses. Stock is brought into the Centre as required.  Led Steer and Heifer Production – Toowoomba Agricultural Centre operates a small feedlot where steers and heifers are custom fed to meet the specifications of local trade markets. The main aim is to demonstrate all the animal husbandry and management requirements to produce market quality cattle. These cattle are either produced by the Centre or purchased locally and are generally aimed to be sold at the Toowoomba Ag Show.  Each year Toowoomba Agricultural Centre works closely with a number of cattle studs who provide the Centre with stock to prepare and work with. These cattle will have special handling requirements that must be adhered to by staff and students.

Cattle Handling and Showing

 Led steers and heifers are provided for students to show as well as a number of stud cattle of various breeds each year.  Toowoomba Agricultural Centre runs a show team of selected students and participates in the local Darling Downs shows and other State shows.  Schools wanting students to participate in cattle showing must discuss this with the HOD-Agriculture at the beginning of the school year. The Ag Centre will prepare the cattle required for these shows and the schools are expected to be able to provide the required number of students to present these cattle.  Each year the Ag Centre will stipulate the number of students for the TAC Show Team and the venues to be attended.

Note: Because Ag Centre staff are required to transport and prepare cattle and that shows are outside dedicated school hours (weekends), showing is limited to what staff are prepared to donate their time to. It is not a requirement for Ag Centre staff to do showing.

 The Centre keeps a small number of different breeds e.g. Suffolk, Merino, Border Leicester, Dorset Downs and Damara. Their offspring are used in prime lamb feeding trials. Store lambs may also be purchased and sold on fattening.

5  There are extensive sheep yards, handling and weighing facilities present.

 A small goat herd is kept for demonstration purposes, these being predominantly Boer X goats.

Poultry

 Both intensive (battery hens) and extensive (free range) are kept.  A range of breeds are kept and the poultry is used for not only egg production but also trial work e.g. Comparison of Broiler vs Layer Growth trials.

Alpacas

 A small number are kept for demonstration purposes and sheep herd protection.

Horses

 Horses are kept at the Centre at various times for teaching and mustering purposes. Students are taught husbandry skills, but horse riding is not permitted.

A copy of the livestock management /husbandry calendar is available on the website

 Hives are kept for student observation and honey production.

Aquaculture

 A couple of small tanks with freshwater crayfish and local fish species are kept for student demonstration.

Broadacre Farming  The Ag Centre operates a number of paddocks that operate singularly or by using strip practices. Many of these paddocks have improved pasture varieties to suit the soil type but fodder and other demonstration crops are planted throughout the year upon requirement.  The Centre has a range of equipment for use such as tractors, planter, cultivator and offsets, however to operate these students are preferably in Senior and must be suitable to operate these machines. 6  The Ag Centre has access to broadacre properties nearby that grow a variety of crops, have a wide range of machinery and use the latest sustainable practices.

Horticulture

 Fruit orchard e.g. stone fruit as well as a range of various fruit crops e.g. citrus, avocado, pears, apples etc.  Field trials and cropping area e.g. wheat, barley, potatoes, sweet corn.  Improved pastures, native pastures and fodder crops  Commercial nursery  Raised garden beds for vegetable crops and other demonstration crops.  Landscaped gardens of various types e.g. native, scented, conifer, formal etc.

Classrooms and Resources

 An agricultural library including, reference books and magazines, videos, a small computer laboratory with wireless internet access, computer software and prepared slides.  A laboratory is available for scientific experiments.  A computer room is also available complete with data projector, speakers, desktop PCs and wireless.

A copy of School Programs on offer is available on the website

7 CENTRE STAFF

The centre is staffed with a:  HOD Agriculture  Specialised Agricultural Teacher/s  Administration Officer  Agricultural Assistant  Bus Driver

TAC Centre Staff are specialist teachers with extensive experience in the agricultural sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CENTRE STAFF

Teachers at the Centre are experienced in Agricultural Education and support Agricultural classes that visit the Centre. In addition they all have Senior First Aid Certification, Endorsed Medium Rigid drivers licenses, Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessing plus some have qualifications and training in Agricultural specific areas such as Tractor Driving, Chemicals and Metal Fabrication. The Centre staff facilitates the practical activities whilst the classroom teacher continues to manage a safe learning environment.

The Centre Teachers

 Meet with visiting teachers to identify risks, plan outcomes and ensure safety. This must be done a minimum of two weeks prior to delivery of the program.  Offer advice and assist with planning practical activities and excursions for visiting teachers.  Prepares materials for classes attending the Centre in line with available resources.  Lead or assist in practical lesson delivery, depending on the expertise of the visiting teacher and time availability if other classes are at the Centre.  Assist schools with Work Programs and general curriculum development, including writing assessment items. Note: Centre staff will assist visiting teachers in assessment design. Creating, implementing and collecting assessment is the responsibility of the visiting teacher.  Ensure that services/resources offered by the Centre are appropriate and safe.  Ensure visiting classes are operating within Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment Guidelines and within Animal Ethics requirements.  Provide advice to the visiting teacher for a program of study by identifying potential risks in an activity. Note: Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments are the responsibility of the visiting teacher. Recommended CARA is available on the Ag Centre Website.  Provide Professional Development for inexperienced teachers in the agricultural area on request.  Completes an animal register on animal welfare issues associated with practical activities.

8 STAFF / MANAGEMENT MEETINGS

Toowoomba Agricultural Centre Staff meet on a regular informal basis due to the small number of staff. Outside teachers may be contacted for particular meeting purposes.

VISITING TEACHING STAFF

Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee requires any teacher conducting a scientific animal activity to have the following minimum requirements. All visiting teachers must meet these minimum requirements to deliver agricultural classes at the Centre:

 A relevant science or science education qualification eg Agricultural Science, Biological Science OR  Relevant science or science education experience as deemed appropriate by the school principal (generally 2 years experience in the field)

 Staff must also have competency in the particular procedure

Therefore any visiting teacher or inexperienced teachers with less than two year’s experience, whilst at the centre, must have all activities conducted under the supervision of a Science or Agricultural Science Head of Department (HOD). Student Supervision and Student Areas

 As part of the teacher duty of care, all students must be supervised while on the Ag Centre premises at all times.  Students must be supervised correctly during class activities at all times.  Students must be supervised when inside the welding shed – this includes class time and break time.  Students must not enter the Tractor Shed/Workshop.  Students are not to be in any classroom unsupervised or outside timetabled class time. Using these rooms as lunch areas is not permitted.  Students are not permitted inside the laboratory prep room or the tractor shed at any time.  Students are not permitted to work with any livestock unsupervised.  Students will have a predetermined area where they will be able to have lunch or a break.  Students can utilize the main Centre shed and gardens as lunch areas.

9 Risk Assessments

Department of Education and Training (DET) is committed to the health, safety and well- being of students, staff and others involved in all curriculum activities conducted at schools or other locations. Below is a list of activity-specific guidelines outlining risk management, level, qualifications required, and identified hazards. It is important to note that the actual risk level will vary according to the specific circumstances of the activity and these must be considered when planning curriculum activities.

Responsible staff must be suitably qualified to be teaching a particular activity. Under no circumstances should a teacher be conducting a lesson doing an activity they are not qualified for. When conducting any procedure, due regard must be given to the maturity and suitability of the student/s involved in the activity.

Persons deemed to be suitably qualified will have conducted Curriculum Activity Risk Assessments (CARA) on the procedure/s to be carried out and found the procedure/s to be safe and humane from an animal welfare perspective as well as safe from a student welfare perspective. Under WH&S, CARA must be kept with the teacher while the activity is in occurrence. No activity must occur outside what is stated in the CARA for that class group. Ag Centre staff will advise visiting teachers on CARA for an activity, however the responsibility to complete these is with the visiting teacher.

Risk Management

The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (new window) states that risk management must be used as the method to identify risks in the workplace and determine ways to appropriately manage these issues.

The stages of risk management are identified in section 27A of the Act:

1. Identify hazards 2. Assess the risks (looking at likelihood and consequences) 3. Decide on appropriate control measures to manage the risks 4. Implement controls 5. Monitor and review the effectiveness of these measures

Risk management is simply a structured and systematic approach to decision making for a range of issues including health and safety management.

Control measures should be considered in the following order. This is often referred to as the 'Hierarchy of Control' and ranks control measures in terms of effectiveness:

1. Elimination 2. Substitution 3. Isolation 4. Engineering 5. Administrative measures 6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

10 Note: Before commencing an activity, students must receive a safety induction on that activity and be signed off/dated by their teacher/instructor that this has occurred. Students cannot begin their activity until this has occurred. This applies to all high and extreme risk activities as indicated by the CARA listed on the Ag Centre website.

Staff using animals should be skilled in relevant techniques, be familiar with and follow all requirements under;

 The Animal Care and Protection Act 2001,  The Australian code of practice and care and use of animals for Scientific purposes, 7th Edition 2004  The Agricultural Industry Codes (SCARM Codes) particularly ;

Section 3: Responsibilities of investigator and teachers Section 4: Acquisition and care of animals in breeding and holding facilities Section 6: The use of animals in teaching

Teachers will annually sign a register indicating then have read and understood these codes of practice.

Teachers should ensure that animal users, including students and visitors are provided with adequate prior instruction in specific activities to enable appropriate care of an animal and to minimize risk of undue stress or harm to an animal. Students must also have a safety induction course before commencing activities and be signed off as having received this. Species Specific information and Standard Operating Procedures form Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee (QSAEC) is available with a Description and Category or risk Assessment for standard procedures. Any activities not considered in these Categories require approval from Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee (QSAEC).

As many replacement /supervising teachers may not have these qualifications, in a regular agricultural teacher’s absence a planned program in most cases may not occur. Due to the level of risk, classes may need to be retained at their school.

11 RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL STAFF

Each class is the responsibility of the visiting teacher. This teacher has responsibility for:

1. Timely booking (using appropriate forms)

2. Pre-Visit Meeting with Ag Centre teachers identifying a program of required practical activities including:

 Usage Agreement  Risk Assessment  Animal Welfare Documentation Register  Fire and Lockdown Procedures Register

Practical activities should be in line with the theory lessons that have occurred at school. A detailed planner is required from each teacher and for each class before the start of the required work module / term. This must be emailed to the HOD – Agriculture before commencing activities. It outlines:-  Theory taught and supporting practical activities required in sufficient detail  Resources required to complete activities. Teachers must have reasonable expectations when requiring the Ag Centre to purchase resources. This especially applies to livestock and feeding costs where market situations make the activity cost excessive and unrealistic  Safety concerns and Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment

3. The classroom teacher is at all times responsible for their program, CARA and the behaviour management of their students.

4. Provide a list of students in their class and copies of their medical conditions before commencing the program. Teachers need to be aware of student allergies, illnesses and disabilities that require immediate attention e.g. students with anaphylaxis. Correct school risk management procedures should be in place. Centre staff should also be aware in case a practical activity involves students working with some common allergens e.g. bees, eggs, peanuts;

5. Schools and teachers are advised to check the TAC annual calendar of management/husbandry practices on the website and try to plan around these events. The Ag Centre operates similar to most rural properties where cropping and livestock activities only occur at particular times of the year. Use of the Centre’s own animal and plant resources is encouraged at all times. Therefore school agricultural work programs need to reflect the operations of the Ag Centre. For example, branding, lambing, summer and winter cropping. If any preparation or additional materials are required, teachers must give at least a term’s notice e.g. long term planning for crop production, gardens, animal trials etc. and the request will be

12 considered. Teachers may also have to work in their activities with other visiting classes for practical activities e.g. lamb and chicken trials.

6. Organise forms for excursions, bus travel, parent permission forms and Variations to the School Routine.

7. Assist Centre staff with any timetable changes or bus problems, initially, through their relevant HOD.

8. Behaviour Management  To and from the Centre as well as at the Centre  If classes are split at the Centre for practicals the teacher in charge of each class is responsible for behaviour management of their group  Problems with behaviour of students if needed must be reported to the HOD at the Centre, where action can be taken and then they must go through correct reporting procedures at their own school  The HOD of the Agricultural Centre can restrict / remove access to individuals at any time, especially those deemed as OHS risks.

9. Visiting school teachers are expected to take an active role with their class whilst at the Centre. They should work closely with the Centre staff in utilising the teaching resource available for their practical work. There must be a close link between teaching practice at the school and practicals at the Centre. Communication between the schools and the Centre is very important. 10. Schools must give a weeks notice to the Ag Centre for planned class visit cancellations to the Ag Centre. Unplanned cancellations due to teacher absence must be communicated to the Ag Centre asap to ensure enough time for changes to bus travel e.g. the day before. 11. Ensure all students have correct equipment, shoes and hat before entering the bus. Students without a hat will not be permitted to work outside. In this instance, teachers are expected to be provide work for these students indoors. 12. High and Extreme Risk Activities/Equipment – Visiting teachers must have a Safety Induction completed by students before allowing an activity with these risks commence.

13 RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

 Students are required to bring their own hat and to wear this hat at all times while working outside. Sunscreen will be available to students at the Centre.

 Closed leather shoes / boots are necessary if students are working with livestock, in the workshops or operating machinery.

 All cuts and sores should be covered when working with animals.

 Bring appropriate writing materials to EACH practical lesson. This should be highlighted by the student’s teacher. It could include practical booklet, notebook, diary etc and appropriate writing materials.

 Observe the safe working requirements, which apply during practical lessons. A disregard for safety instructions can have serious consequences. Always wash hands thoroughly after finishing any practical activity.

 Cooperate with teachers and other students, to make sure that lessons can proceed smoothly. Constant interruptions can only have a negative effect for all concerned. Remember that time is of considerable importance, and students should move quickly with their teachers to each practical lesson worksite e.g. sheep yards.

 There will be no eating of food or chewing gum either in the classroom, the field environment or on the bus.

 The use of a mobile phone and electronic devices in class is disruptive to the learning environment of all students and is unsafe behaviour. No liability will be accepted by the Centre in the event of the loss, theft and damage of any device.  All electronic devices are to be turned off during lesson time and only used at lunch breaks.  Failure to comply with this guideline may result in temporary confiscation.  In-phone cameras may only be used with the permission of the Principal of your school and the Head of Department at the Ag Centre in exceptional circumstances.  Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any student who: (a) photographs or films other individuals without their consent; (b) sends harassing or threatening messages (c) is caught using a mobile phone to cheat in exams or assessments.

 Students must remain with their class group at all times. Permission to leave to get some materials or go to the toilet must have a teacher’s permission.

 The centre’s goal is to have a safe, orderly and positive classroom or field environment in which students can learn. Misbehaviour will not be tolerated, as this can be a safety concern.

 This Centre will not address all aspects of student responsibilities, as each feeder school will already have a comprehensive Responsible Behaviour Plan in place. However basic rules will need to be adhered to at this Centre.

14  If there are continual disruptions in class that warrants a student being addressed at the end of the lesson or during a lesson by their class teacher or the teacher at the Centre, this incident will be recorded by the Centre management and in some instances a consequence will be instigated immediately.

 If there is continual misbehaviour, the student will be referred to the appropriate person from their school and that schools’ behaviour management policy can then be implemented. This could also result in students not being allowed to attend the Centre.

These responsibilities also apply to students during school excursions, camps and extra-curricular activities.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

 Schools are generally responsible for the total assessment of their students. Centre staff will assist visiting teachers in assessment design. Creating, implementing and collecting assessment is the responsibility of the visiting teacher.

 Teachers from schools should work cooperatively with Centre Staff in formulating assessment tasks pertaining to their time at the Centre;

 All marking is the responsibility of the class teacher. Centre staff may assist in some practical assessment;

 All reporting on students is the responsibility of each school; Assessment Tasks

 Practical assessment items should reflect work that has been done at the Centre. Assessment could be covered in a number of ways eg:- 1. A written test 2. A practical report e.g. trial, experiment report, excursion report etc 3. Practical skills test or a competency based checklist 4. Combination of above or other

 All Assessment items should state what criteria are being tested or outcomes assessed;

 Assessment items should not overlap with written assessment items at schools. School assessment tasks should be sighted by Centre staff if they are responsible for setting the task e.g. a test to help overcome any overlap.

15 BUS RULES

 No student shall enter the bus unless the class teacher is present.

 Students should wait for the bus at a safe distance from where the bus stops. Misbehaviour while waiting for the bus can result in serious accidents. If a safety line eg: yellow marking is present, students must wait behind this line.

 Students should ensure that arms and hands are inside the bus windows at all times.

 Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted on the bus. Students in certain circumstances may bring food and drink to the Centre but this must be eaten only in the designated area at the Centre.

 Seat belts should be worn at all times.

 Load limits must be observed.

 Every endeavor should be made to keep the interior of the bus clean, i.e. remove mud from shoes. Teachers are encouraged to sit in the back seat of the bus to help overcome misbehaviour problems. If the bus is not full please seat your students at the front, only to reduce risks.

 All regular school standards of behaviour will apply.

 Students are permitted to travel on the bus without their regular teacher only after individuals are authorised by the school Principal.

16 SUNSMART POLICY

Sunscreen is available at the Centre for all students and teachers who are participating in activities outdoors.

Hats must be worn at all times when outside and should be broad- brimmed or bucket style to ensure full protection.

Students who work a full day at the Ag Centre should wear long pants and shirts with long sleeves and a collar

Students are encouraged to wear sunglasses with appropriate Cancer Council certified lenses

All Staff should ensure they act as role models for students by using appropriate sun protection eg. Sunscreen and hat.

17 PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE INFORMATION

The following information taken from the ED info website applies to public liability;

Each year the Department of Education and Training is given a Certificate of Currency confirming that the department has Public Liability Insurance.

Public Liability Insurance applies to all approved activities.

The coverage provided by the public liability insurance for the Department of Education and Training extends to cover the department, its employees and volunteers acting on the approval of the Principle of a school and who have signed the volunteers’ register at the school.

The Policy with the D0301 is current until the 1st July each year and can be downloaded from the website https://oneportal.deta.qld.gov.au/Services/Finance/Forms/Documents/Publicliabilityinsuran ceCoCEducation.pdf

The important points to note are as follows:

 School approved activities are covered by Public Liability.

 An adequate Risk Assessment must be completed for each activity. Each school is also responsible for their Variation to School Routine process and Risk Assessment.

 The statement “Please be aware that Education Queensland does not cover students for Personal Injury Insurance. It is advised that students involved in this type of high risk activity will source their own personal insurance”. Should be included in all information provided to parents. The letter to parents of students attending shows and excursions organised by the Ag Centre will also include this statement.

USE OF ROOMS and SURROUNDING AREA

 Eating and drinking are not permitted in the classroom, laboratory or workshop.

 If students have a designated meal break they must use only the lunch area provided.

 Every effort must be made to keep rooms clean and tidy at all times. Make sure students shoes/boots are clean if returning from outside practical activities. Cleaning apparatus is located near sheds and buildings.

 All bags must be placed and remain in the bag racks provided.

 At the conclusion of the lesson, teachers are asked to ensure that:

(a) Chairs are put up (b) Windows are closed and locked 18 (c) Gas taps, electric lights, power outlets, fans and heaters are turned off

(d) Equipment is put away (e) Rooms are locked where appropriate

 All buildings are off limits to students unless directed by a teacher ie: students are not permitted to enter a building until directed to, by a teacher.

 If entering a workshop, students must be accompanied by a supervising teacher.

 We wish to maintain and improve the aesthetics of the complex so these rules will be adhered to:  No eating  No graffiti will be tolerated  No chewing gum  No dropping papers or other rubbish  No interfering with any resources from classes, animals and plants / shrubs in the area

WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY

All staff should be aware of all potential hazards and risks associated with the practical tasks undertaken by students therefore a risk assessment must be done prior to any program commencing. Appropriate safety procedures should be outlined to students at the beginning of each lesson and reinforced as the lesson proceeds. Please refer to the appropriate EPPR and the Centre’s Risk Assessment Guidelines for teachers.

No hazardous chemicals are to be used by students or visiting teachers. All spraying of chemicals will be completed by the Agricultural Assistant. MSDS sheets are available for all chemicals kept at the centre.

An Animal Welfare register must be completed when practicals involve animals. This register is kept in the Centre Office.

Tractor driving instruction can only be done by staff certified as competent by an accredited provider.

19 YOUR OBLIGATIONS AT A WORKPLACE

The Act places an obligation on every person to ensure his or her own workplace health and safety, and the workplace health and safety of others.

This obligation includes:  Identifying hazards, assessing risks, deciding on and implementing appropriate control measures, monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the measures;  Providing and maintaining a safe and healthy work environment;  Providing and maintaining safe plant;  Ensuring the safe use, handling, storage and transport of substances;  Ensuring safe systems of work; and  Providing information, instruction, training and supervision.

From A Guide to the Workplace Health & Safety Act 1995 ( www.deir.qld.gov.au )

Further information contact your schools or the Centre’s Workplace health and Safety Officer.

20 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Emergency siren or Air Horn will be heard throughout the Centre complex and Wilsonton Campus.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

POLICE – 000

POLICE AT ALL OTHER TIMES Toowoomba Office - 46316333 Wilsonton Police Beat - 46161322

FIRE BRIGADE – 000

AMBULANCE SERVICE – 000 General Ambulance Enquiries – 4639 4159

POISON INFORMATION CENTRE – 13 11 26

21 ACCIDENT / ILLNESS

1 Assess the situation e.g. danger of electrocution, falling objects etc. If the accident involves chemicals consult the MSDS sheets for appropriate procedures. 2 Commence immediate First Aid, if you feel it is safe to do so. A First Aid kit is located in the staffroom and administrative area. A portable kit is available for excursions and off site activities. 3 Stay with the victim, send for assistance or obtain assistance by verbal communication. 4 If an ambulance is required, do not delay. 5 Follow same evacuation procedures as for Fire. 6 The HOD at the Centre and the supervising teacher will complete an accident report on OneSchool. Your own school may also require documentation.

22 LOCK DOWN PROCEDURES

A lock down is the securing of persons within a building to prevent a potential threat of harm or injury to Staff, Students, Visitors and Contractors.

Procedure

Upon identification of a threat at the centre the alarm is activated by the Administrative Assistant or any other staff member, using the constant sound from an air horn. If the threat is initiated at Wilsonton Campus a bell continuously rings and the Centre will also go into Lock Down again notifying by the continuous blasting on an air horn.

Notification to Police

If you are the person requested to notify the Police, please provide as much information as possible:

On Hearing the Alarm

 If the emergency is initiated by the Ag Centre administrative or other staff must immediately contact Police/Emergency Services, then notify by mobile phone, all other Centre staff and the Wilsonton Campus Office. Once the emergency horn has been set off the Centre staff should ensure all students, visiting staff and contractors are secure in the closest secure building.

 Teaching staff to take control of their students ensuring they remain calm and orderly.

 Teaching staff and students in a classroom or workshop are to Lock doors and windows Turn off lights, machinery etc. Move out of sight as much as possible Remain quiet

 If staff and students are not in their respective classroom/area at the time of alarm, e.g. paddock, sheep pens they are to Move to the nearest securable building Lock doors and windows Turn off lights, machinery etc. Move out of sight as much as possible Remain quiet until the all clear is notified by Police/Emergency Services

23 FIRE DRILL PROCEDURES

These procedures apply to all persons on this site.

Notify nearest teacher – under no circumstances is a student to fight a fire. Teachers should assess the potential risk created by the fire.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS  POLICE – 000 Fire reported to HOD or if not  FIRE BRIGADE – 000 present any of the Centre Staff  AMBULANCE SERVICE – 000  POISON INFORMATION CENTRE – 13 11 26

OUT BREAK A centre staff member will sound fire alarm. The alarm is a gas propellant OF FIRE “fog horn” type, sounded for periods of 3 seconds duration, repeated a minimum of three times. The HOD or Centre staff to notify Fire Brigade. When the siren sounds all teachers and students must evacuate to the Centre Staff Wilsonton Campus oval, the designated assembly area. Notified No belongings are to be carried. Teachers to ensure that all windows and Fire Alarm doors of classrooms / shed are closed on evacuation. All persons on site Sounded MUST evacuate. Centre staff will check on all buildings. If appropriate at the time workshop gases and all power should be turned off. Students are expected to walk quickly using the quickest and safest route to the Centre designated assembly point on the Wilsonton Campus Oval. Evacuation

Assemble on Oval For classes outside in the field the teacher should notify the Centre staff member in charge that there are no problems and also make their way to the designated area by the safest possible route. Rolls Checked – All Clear Given On reaching the designated assembly area, the classroom teacher will mark the roll and report any absences to the Centre HOD/Teacher. All HOD Completes students as well as teaching and ancillary staff must be account for by Evacuation Report reporting to the Wilsonton Campus Fire Warden. Once personal safety of all has been assured the Centre HOD/Teacher will indicate when it is safe to return to the Centre.

FIRE DRILLS WILL BE HELD AT LEAST24 ONCE DURING THE TERM EVACUATION ROUTE

Main Gate

Wilsonton WAFSC Campus ASSEMBLY Evacuation AREA Area

NOTE: Wilsonton Campus will also be under evacuation. Wilsonton Campus students should make their way to the oval by the correct route (see diagram) and report to their Access Class Teacher. All other visiting schools should stand to the side on the oval and notify the fire warden of their safety.

25 An example of an overview conducted at the Centre BEHIND THE FARM GATE – HARRISTOWN SHS Term 1

 Study of a range of animals e.g. Poultry, Goats, Horses and Plants through vegetable production.

 Hands on practical experience in animal handling and looking after vegetable crops.

 Safety Program Overview

Date Week Theory Lesson - HSHS Practical Lesson - TAG Starting

Overview – What is in this module of Centre introduction, expectations, walk 1 work? Explain about Ag Centre, rules around Centre Farm, Safety etc safety, student requirements etc.

Vegetables production – What is required Garden bed preparation – layout of garden, 2 When to plant, What to plant & where? measuring, correct use of tools, cleaning up Explain use of garden diary after work

Research on types of plants to grow, how Mulching and re-digging gardens ready for 3 they grow, planting requirements, needs of planting. Introduction of fertilizers to gardens plants etc – explanation of types of fertilizer Fertilizer worksheet on types and Introduction to animals and safety around application of fertilizers. Write up Garden animals. Demonstration of behavior of 4 diaries – plan of garden, what has been animals and how to move them properly and done so far. safely. Outline aspects of animals that students Looking at all aspects of Poultry as per sheet will study – show proforma sheet e.g. 5 – demonstrating behavior of animals and Importance /uses, breeds, parts, terms, how to move them properly and safely management, handling, safety Fill in info on poultry as per practical at the Planting vegetables and watering – correct 6 Ag Centre. Short talk on planting demonstrations given. vegetables – spaces etc

Looking at all aspects of Goats as per sheet Fill in garden diaries on what was planted 7 – demonstrations and student handling. etc. Introduction to next animal e.g. Goats Check on gardens and water.

Fill in info on Goats as per practical at the 8 Ag Centre. Short talk on water vegetables Mulching, weeding and watering of gardens and benefits of mulching.

Fill in Garden Diaries. Talk on plant Looking at all aspects of Horses as per sheet 9 protection of vegetables crop. Introduction – demonstrations and student handling. to horses Check on gardens and water.

Fill in info on Horses as per practical at the Plant Protection – check for damage etc. 10 Ag Centre. Short talk on water watering Water and weed for holidays vegetables and benefits of mulching