Official source
Source domain: thornhillcc.co.za
Collected on 6 August 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This document is an “Excursion Policy” setting out rules and responsibilities for school-related educational excursions, including local and overnight trips. It defines what counts as an excursion, explains the legal duty of care and informed consent requirements, and assigns duties to the principal and the teacher in charge to ensure curriculum relevance, health and safety, supervision, risk assessment, and appropriate parental communication. It also includes specific requirements for gender balance on overnight excursions, outdoor adventure activities, billeting arrangements, and accident/incident handling.
What this document offers
Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.
educational excursion participationOngoing
Participation in school educational excursions (local and overnight) as an optional enrichment activity
Students may participate in school-related educational excursions under teacher supervision that are directly related to the school curriculum. Parents are advised that excursions are generally optional enrichment activities and that additional expenses may be involved, and parents must provide written informed consent after being made aware of supervision details, risks and associated costs.
- Who it is for
- students and their parents (including carers) considering or attending school excursions
- How to act on it
- Parents are advised before course choices are made that additional expenses may be involved; parents must give written agreement (informed consent) after being made aware of supervision details, risks and associated costs; the principal ensures the excursion is curriculum-related and that required risk assessment is undertaken for 3.1.b and 3.1.c excursions.
Show the line this came from
Educational excursions should provide enriching experiences for students in a variety of environments.
Facts
Places
KwaZulu-Natal
Reference
D IN SECTION 2.2
Amounts
R 2 000 000
Key Takeaways
- Document title: EXCURSION POLICY
- Covers all excursions including local and overnight; excludes items referenced in section 2.2 (not included in text)
- Excursion definition: school-related activity under teacher supervision directly related to the school curriculum
- Categories referenced: 3.1.a (movement/near school), 3.1.b (day travel and return), 3.1.c (overnight accommodation)
- Principal responsibilities include: ensure curriculum-related (not predominantly recreational), ensure parents cover costs, ensure staff know policy, ensure finance policy requirements met
- Risk assessment: Excursions - Risk Assessment pro forma required for 3.1.b and 3.1.c; recommended but not mandatory for 3.1.a
- Private provider criteria include: trained staff/accreditation sighted, risk management/safety plan sighted, and at least R2 million Public Liability insurance per event
- Informed consent: written parental agreement after supervision details, risks, and associated costs are provided
- Teacher in charge responsibilities include: ensure consent/medical forms completed and returned prior to excursion; carry medical information and emergency treatment plans for 3.1.b and 3.1.c; develop emergency contacts/procedures; ensure cultural/religious needs; for overnight, girls and boys not in same rooms
- Gender balance for overnight (3.1.c): mixed groups require both genders among accompanying adults; all-boys/all-girls require at least one teacher of same gender as students
- Alcohol restriction: accompanying adults must not drink alcohol during hours of duty or when responsible for students
- Billeting: low-cost accommodation relying on host families; requires principal approval and signed accommodation form; includes monitoring billets and contingency/reserve accommodation
- Accidents: teacher in charge must follow Student Accidents policy and accident procedures (text cuts off mid-sentence)
- Thornhill CC (website: www.thornhillcc.co.za)
- Parents (includes carers)
- Children and Young People Act 1999
- Public Sector Management Act 1994
- Working with Children and Young People – Volunteering Policy
- Emergency Management Framework
- Finance Policy (for planning and accountings for monies)
- First Aid Policy (Appendix referenced)
- Risk Management and Audit Section
- Student Accident/Incident Report Form
- Emergency contacts and procedures
- Private providers (industry standards/accreditation)