Department of Education Checklist for Excursions

AWESOME meets the Department of Education and Training’s excursion requirements.

The following information is made available to teachers so that they can complete the Department’s Checklist as part of their assessment of the 2007 AWESOME Festival as an excursion venue.

The Environment
AWESOME uses a variety of indoor and outdoor venues in the Perth CBD and Northbridge. AWESOME has two arrival points; Russell Square (James St end) and Beaufort St outside the WA Museum, with adjacent bus drop off zones for school groups.

Students’ Capacity
AWESOME is suitable for all school-aged children. Most exhibits have been designed so that the users of wheelchairs can enjoy them.

Supervision
AWESOME requires that all schools provide an adult supervisor to student ratio, as follows:

• Any visit that includes the AWESOME floor for Years K-2
  1 adult:5 students
• Any visit that includes the AWESOME floor for Years 3-7
  1 adult:6 students
• Any visit that includes the AWESOME floor for Years 8-10
  1 adult:10 students
• Any visit that includes the AWESOME floor for Years 11-12
  1 adult:15 students

AWESOME will provide at least one AWESOME Angel guide for each school group.

If a school is not able to meet supervision requirements, the organising teacher can call the Booking Office to explore the possibility of extra AWESOME Angels assisting them with the adult: student ratio. Supervising adults are requested to keep their students in their groups at all times. Students must be well behaved during their visit, to maximise the educational experience and comfort of other visitors to AWESOME events.

Information about AWESOME staff
All AWESOME staff dealing with schools have police clearance and are trained to provide a safe and enjoyable visitor experience. On arrival, students and teachers will be greeted by a trained AWESOME staff member, who will explain your programmed visit, safety instructions and what to do in an emergency.

AWESOME staff are responsible for providing a safe and enjoyable learning environment for your students. AWESOME facilities and equipment are maintained and operated at a high level to ensure visitor safety. We ask that school adult supervisors ensure that students are well supervised at all times.

Insurance
AWESOME has a public liability insurance policy for $10,000,000.

Communication technology
AWESOME staff have walkie-talkies for managing emergencies quickly and efficiently.

Emergency Response Planning
AWESOME has an evacuation procedure for each venue. In the event that an evacuation is required, notice will be given by the venue manager and it is essential that all school visitors take directions from AWESOME staff. Teachers can increase safety by always ensuring that they meet the minimum supervision requirements (see Supervision above) and by strongly encouraging students to stay in their groups with their adult supervisors whilst at AWESOME. Once evacuation from the venue occurs, all visitors will be assembled at a common point. Teachers will be able to do a roll call there and need to immediately alert AWESOME staff if any students are missing.

If in doubt about any aspects of an excursion, please do not hesitate to call our bookings staff by phoning 9485 0560 or emailing office@awesomearts.com