Risky Play!
Why? “Play and exploration is a fundamental human right for all children, regardless of age, gender, culture, social class or disability .“ Annie Nolan – 2016 ‘All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate. Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and well being of individuals and communities.” (Playwork Principles Scrutiny Group 2005 in: A world without play : a literature review 2012)
This is not play “Any more than paint by numbers is Art” Griff Longley Nature Play WA
Why? “The bottom line: children need risk. It is a powerful catalyst for growth that helps them develop good judgment, persistence, courage, resiliency and confidence .” Ken Finch
Why? “Although the term ‘risk - taking’ often has negative connotations, the reality is that the willingness to engage in some risky activities provides opportunities to learn new skills, try new behaviours and ultimately reach our potential . Challenge and risk, in particular during outdoor play, allows children to test the limits of their physical, intellectual and social development” (Little, H & Wyver, S, 2009).
Human Services – WHS Training Systemic 10 Schools
Human Services – WHS Training Systemic 11 Schools
October 2013 “ the law should not be used as a sword to threaten, curtail and undermine a school ’ s legitimate activities and serve as a barrier to students being able to engage in various activities that may carry some risk or danger. ” Joan Squelch, Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Notre Dame (Freemantle)
Being Risk Aware vs being Risk Adverse 13 Human Services – WHS CET Staff Induction
WHS Legal Framework • Hazards must be eliminated (initially a problem for the Policy) • Unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so • Genuine accidents can take place • If everything reasonable has been done, no penalty at law • Common Law allows for “Social Utility”
How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice • Hazards and Risk don’t have to be eliminated if it prevents the job from being done. • “…if doing so means that you cannot make the end product of deliver the service.” • Education of the whole child • John 10:10 • Importance of consultation – Parents must be informed
Safety Culture • Becoming WHS Risk Aware not Risk Adverse (Paranoid!) • Approach versus Avoid (Sharman 2015) (for educators and then students!) • Judge Hilbery J. – “If boys were kept in cotton wool some of them would choke themselves with it.” Hudson v Governors of Rotherham Grammar School 1938
Dr Rachael Sharman Lecturer in Psychology – USC Child/Adolescent Development More Cotton Wool in kids play = less personal responsibility = more injuries – who would have thought hey? Tweet - 30/6/2015
NSW Supreme Court Sanchez et al v Canavan [2015] “It has long been recognised that it is neither practicable nor desirable to attempt to establish a system of education that seeks to exclude every risk of injury and that schools must encourage and teach high spirited young children to engage in games and sporting activities, for their own health and wellbeing.”
NSW Supreme Court Sanchez et al v Canavan [2015] "It argued that it owed no duty to safeguard its students from all perils and claimed that the fall was not the result of negligence on anyone’s part but rather a regular incident of childhood activity in the playground, whether supervised or not .” http://www.marsdens.net.au/news/n/the-pe-curriculum-that-collided-with- table-soccer-150904
Fire
Ideas for use of Fire • Fire Pit • Singular Learning Outcome – i.e. producing charcoal • Regular Gathering Place • On Excursion • For cooking • Prayer
Next Steps • Risk Benefit Analysis • Record of Consultation and Risk Controls – Parents – Rest of Staff – Relief Staff
Finals Steps • Undertake the Activity – Be conservative i.e. extra parent help – Note observations, get feedback from adults and students • Review and Revise what was learnt and adjust practice and documentation – i.e. before fire becomes a regular gathering place can it be used in a number of lessons?
“It’s a great view of the playground.” “You feel more free.” “We don’t feel unsafe.” Sacred Heart (Ulverstone)
Identifying safe trees “We can climb to the yellow line. The playground is better now that we can climb the trees.” “ You are basically in the jungle.”
“You can work on your climbing skills.” “You can see really far. You can watch what is happening in the games.” “We feel safe because we know that we should hold onto a thicker branch that can hold you.”
Playscapes of the Future
S t P
S t P
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New possibilities…
Human Services – WHS Training Systemic 35 Schools
Stella Maris
Larmenier
Extensions for Colleges • Activities not covered by CCI Public Liability Insurance – anything to do with flight – motor vehicle racing – motor cycles • Science • MDT
Banned Activities (NSW) The Department and its teachers owe a duty of care to all students to protect them against the risk of injury which is foreseeable. Sport and physical activity programs must be designed to ensure that the maximum level of supervision and safety is provided. The Department has banned a number of sports / activities where this cannot be guaranteed. Currently the following activities must not be undertaken: • Bungee Jumping • Rock Fishing • Tobogganing • Break Dancing • Hang Gliding • Rodeo • Boxing and other 'one on one' Combat Sports* * Note - training and fitness programs involved with these sport, for example, boxercise are not viewed as the sport and are acceptable activities in schools. Human Services – WHS Training Systemic 40 Schools
Resource • Abseiling • Archery • Rock Climbing • Bushwalking • Canyoning • Sea Kayaking • Mountain Biking Never sign any providers waivers. • Parents only can do this.
Further Contacts • www.catholic.tas.edu.au - Policies • Adam Mulcahy – Manager Facilities – TCEO – 0408 295 059 • Annie Nolan – Education Officer Early Years = TCEO – 6210 8888
Landscape Architect • http://playstreet.com.au/ • 0419 390 974
Questions?
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