Wakakirri National Story Festival

Event Policies

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Risk Management &
Safety Information for Schools

Wakakirri is committed to providing a safe event for all schools, staff and suppliers.

We have set up procedures and practices that minimise risk, and focus on the safety of all involved. This includes physical safety at events, safe performances, a safe workplace, appropriate staff, enforcing duty of care policies and planning for potential problems.

It is also important that all schools involved in the Wakakirri National Story Festival adhere to rules and procedures and follow departmental/ school risk management and safety protocols.

In this section
• Safe use of sets and props on stage
• Safe venues
• Duty of care
• Security
• Appropriate staff
• Wakakirri Risk Management Policies
• Venue Specific Risk Management Plans (suitable for use by schools)

Safe use of sets and props on stage

There are very strict and well thought out rules regarding not only the types, quantity and sizes of sets and props that can be used in a Wakakirri performance but in how they can be used.

These rules make sure sets and props are an appropriate size and weight for the students using them and that they do not pose any risk to performers or audience. Read the full Sets and Props Rules (found in the rules of each competition).

The Stage Manager on the day will only let sets, props and costumes that are safe and safely used be used in school performances.

Safe venues

Safe venues are essential in producing safe shows. Wakakirri has an ongoing review of safety at all venues.

Wakakirri endevours to use venues that have good disability access, adequate dressing spaces, safe stage areas, accessible fire exits for the number of performers, safe spaces for children backstage and during the day, and venues that pose minimal risk to students, adults, audience and staff.

See the bottom of this page for evacuation plans and risk management information for some specific venues.

Duty of care

As with all excursions and school activities, staff have a Duty of Care to students and fellow staff members. Supervision of students at Wakakirri events is the responsibility of school staff.

Security

Security at performance venues is very important. Security guards are used at many venues. ALL adults back stage require a security pass. Parents and members of the public are not permitted backstage before, during or after the performances nor during the daytime rehearsals.

The number of security passes allocated to each school is in accordance with standard Duty of Care requirements in each state.

Secondary students are stamped on the wrist on arrival for their rehearsal and only students with this stamp are permitted backstage.

Private videos and cameras are banned at all Wakakirri performances.

Child protection issues are taken into account in the planning of Wakakirri events. Teachers/ parents whose students have specific requirements (eg: students cannot be photographed) should contact the Wakakirri office to formulate a suitable plan.

Appropriate staff

Wakakirri staff and crews: Wakakirri staff complete a Working with Children check and are also vetted for their suitability in working with young children, large crowds and in a theatre environment.

Read More about the Working with Children Check at www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check

School volunteers: In Queensland and other states, volunteers working with children – be they parents or other members of the school community, must be screened and approved by government authorities. In QLD this is called ‘the blue card’.

Read more about QLD Blue Cards at: www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/employment/index.html

Wakakirri Risk Management Policies
Wakakirri Security and Risk Management Policies

1. Staff
..........a. Completed ‘working with children’ check
..........b. Are qualified and understand their role
..........c. Understand risk management policies

2. Fire evacuation
..........a. Schools to bring role and list of helpers on the day and provide State coordinator with a copy
..........b. State coordinator to brief each school on procedures during intro session
..........c. Marshal to show school their nearest exits
..........d. State coordinator to allocate an outside marshal area at each venue in coordination with venue staff
..........e. A fire evacuation procedure has been prepared for each venue

3. Security passes and security
..........a. Security guards stationed during day and enforce restricted access to general public
..........b. Extra security guards stationed in venue for evening performance and restrict public access backstage
..........c. All primary school support teams are issued with security passes to a ratio of: 1:10, of up to 5 passes is less than 5 students. Secondary schools receive 10 adult passes.
..........d. Secondary school students issued with a security stamp

4. Venue safety
..........a. Appropriate dressing room space/child ratio
..........b. Crash matts and safety rails at all entertainment centre/ arena style stages
..........c. Wakakirri staff constantly ensure that all dressing rooms, backstage areas are secure and safe

5. Performance safety
..........a. Principal to sign off on safety of sets and props and safety of performance
..........b. Schools to comply with rules and guidelines
..........c. From 2007 no skateboards or rollers blades will be permitted in Wakakirri performances

6. Insurance
..........a. Wakakirri has full Public liability cover
..........b. Wakakirri has full Workers compensation cover according to State and Territory requirements
..........c. All subcontractor companies must show evidence of public liability insurance

7. Copyright
..........a. Schools to conform to APRA requirements
..........b. Schools to follow rules and guidelines
..........c. Parent to sign publicity consent form
..........d. No video or photography of performances

Venue specific Risk Management Information

Some schools may need to complete a risk assessment as part of performing outside the school grounds. Please find here a risk assessment template for the Wakakirri event, including an example to guide you in completing it.

We also have some copies of venue specific evacuation forms and emergency policies. These will be posted at ALL venues and you will be informed of these policies when you arrive at the venue.

NSW Venues