ISB Aquatic and Change Room Protocols
Rationale:
In line with the schools’ child safeguarding policy, all students have the right to respect and privacy. It is an expectation that students will change clothing in a safe, efficient and orderly manner and be treated fairly with respect for their privacy and dignity. However, an appropriate level of supervision must be implemented to safeguard students and to satisfy health and safety considerations. This supervision should be appropriate to the needs and age of the students concerned.
Procedures:
Parents and students are responsible for sending the correct clothes and aquatic kit.
Parents must teach children independent clothes changing skills.
In aquatics lessons, students are to use the change rooms closest to the pool unless otherwise instructed.
Whilst in the lesson, students should leave their clothes on the benches provided in the common area of the change room.
Students who have not brought their aquatics kit to the lesson, will sit in a designated area and complete tasks as assigned by the aquatics teacher. Students should bring a book to read (no electronic equipment to be taken to any Aquatics or PE lessons).
Male staff must not enter female change rooms and vice-versa (unless in an emergency situation). All adults should avoid being in the changing rooms without just cause. If a staff member must enter a changing room for supervisory or student management purposes, they must first knock and announce and, when possible, enter with another staff member.
Staff should not change or shower in the student locker rooms.
Cleaning staff should only clean and dry the change rooms when students are not in the change room. This cleaning should be completed frequently to ensure floors are clean and dry. Cleaners should leave the change room if a student enters. Signage should be displayed indicating ‘cleaning is in progress’.
PreK1 - KG
Students should be encouraged to use the toilet before the lesson.
Students needing to use the toilet during the lesson go there with the support of the Homeroom TA who will wait at the door.
PreK1 - KG students change in the classroom with the support of the teacher and Homeroom TA.
Grade 1 - 5
Students should only use the designated changing rooms
Staff members shall check the changing rooms for safety before the students enter and at the end of each lesson.
At the first aquatics lesson for the year, teachers will discuss with all classes the need for personal privacy when changing and clearly outline expectations for safe and efficient use of the change room.
Students should be encouraged to use the toilet before the lesson.
Change rooms will be supervised by male and female staff members. Any assistance should be provided in an open area in the presence of another adult.
When students have left the change room, staff should check for left items of property and add to the lost property box or pass onto the students.
Grade 6 -12
Students should only use the designated changing rooms
At the first aquatics lesson for the year, teachers will discuss with all classes the need for personal privacy when changing and clearly outline expectations for safe and efficient use of the changeroom.
Students of this age should have a level of independence, therefore, all adults should avoid standing in the changing room watching students, or repeatedly going in and out without good reason.
The aim is for the students to change in 3 minutes. Staff members will supervise from the doorway of the changeroom. Staff members will indicate to students the time left to finish changing.
If there is a need for an adult to enter the room he/she should alert students by announcing it in order to give them the opportunity to ‘cover up’.
Teachers and staff should knock on the door of the changing room and/or call out that they are entering, should they need to go into the changeroom (adhere to gender expectations) with another adult to observe (when possible).
When students have left the change room, staff should check for left items of property and add to the lost property box or pass onto the students.
Sept, 2022