At the beginning of this year (or when you enrolled your child at Te Kura o te Tauawa Halswell School), one of the things you signed was a 'Blanket Consent' form for your child to participate in activities outside the classroom. But what does Blanket Consent actually mean?

Understanding Blanket Consent in EOTC Activities

At our school, we believe in the value of Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC). EOTC refers to all events and activities that take place outside the traditional classroom setting, both on the school grounds and off-site. These activities enrich our students' learning experiences, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and help develop important life skills.

To ensure these activities are safe and well-managed, our school follows a structured process monitored by the Principal and Board of Trustees. We have an EOTC Safety Management Plan that helps us identify and manage risks associated with all activities, whether on or off-site. This includes a detailed risk analysis, identification of safety measures, and emergency procedures.

What is Blanket Consent?

When you provide Blanket Consent, you are giving permission for your child to participate in low-risk EOTC activities. These are everyday activities that do not pose significant risks and are part of our regular school program. Examples include trips to the local library, wellbeing walks, cross-country training, or activities like painting murals or visiting sports coaches.

Blanket Consent is typically provided when you sign the consent form at the time of your child’s enrolment. This means you won’t need to fill out a separate consent form each time a low-risk activity occurs. However, rest assured, you will always be informed of any planned event and the date on which it will occur.

Activity Types and Consent Requirements

To give you a clearer understanding, here’s a breakdown of the types of EOTC activities and the consent needed for each:

• Low-Risk Onsite Activities: These are activities that occur within the school grounds, such as Pedalmania, visiting sports coaches, or fun events like the water slide. No additional consent is required beyond your initial enrolment forms.

• Low-Risk Offsite Activities: These include trips in the local community, such as visits to Te Hapua Library, Halswell Domain, or local walks. These are covered by Blanket Consent.

• Medium to High-Risk Activities: For activities that involve more complexity, technical skills, or extend beyond school hours—like day hikes, swimming lessons, or sports events—you will be asked to provide separate consent for each event, along with detailed information about the activity.

• Overnight or High-Risk Activities: For multi-day trips, overnight camps, or activities involving higher levels of risk (like rock climbing, beach swimming, or skiing), separate consent and risk disclosure forms are required for each event.

Why Accurate Information is Important

To ensure the safety and success of EOTC activities, it is crucial that the information the school has on your child is accurate and up to date. Please advise the office of any changes to contact details, medical information, and/or any specific needs your child may have. The information will remain confidential to school staff, contractors, and volunteers involved in supervising EOTC activities.

If you have any questions or concerns about Blanket Consent or any EOTC activities, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We appreciate your support in making these experiences safe and valuable for all students.

If you have questions about our EOTC practices, please contact Tracey Mora, Cathie Zelas or Anita Head.