Extra Curricular Activities & Cancellation Policy

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES & CANCELLATION POLICY

SCHOOL AIMS:

• To provide a broad and balanced curriculum that reflects the international nature of the DBIS student community.
• To ensure a supportive, happy and secure environment for learning.
• To develop leadership skills and a sense of service to others through a range of extra-curricular opportunities locally and internationally.
• To encourage the physical and emotional wellbeing of each individual.

RATIONALE:

Discovery Bay International School values extracurricular activities (ECAs) as they provide a broader educational experience for students, fostering the development of abilities, self-confidence, and personal and social skills, contributing to an active and healthy lifestyle. This policy also aims to provide clear guidelines for parents and staff regarding the cancellation of outdoor ECAs due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

PURPOSES:

Our school will offer extracurricular activities to:

1. Build on the many skills acquired through our main school curriculum.
2. Ensure that opportunities are provided for all students, regardless of ability, to participate in sports or cultural pursuits and be part of a team or group.
3. Provide organised and coached games or pursuits that have been modified to meet the stages of student ability and maturity.
4. Allow the students to experience activities that could present challenges and offer enjoyment.

GUIDELINES:

1. Our school will provide a range of cultural and sporting activities, supported by school staff, for students throughout our school year.
2. Our school will seek to ensure that sporting and cultural activities can be incorporated into meaningful events.
3. All teaching staff will be assigned, where possible, responsibility for an ECA at the beginning of each school year as part of each teacher’s professional and administrative responsibilities.
4. SLT will offer choices to existing and new teachers prior to the end of Term 3 each year.
5. Teachers will select their preferred ECA from the available choices. The ECA Co-Ordinator, in consultation with the Head of Music, Head of PE/Sport and SLT Representative, will then review these preferences and allocate ECAs accordingly. While every effort will be made to accommodate teacher preferences, it's important to understand that not all teachers may receive their first choice. Furthermore, some teachers may not initially select an ECA. In situations where a teacher does not select an ECA, or if allocation based on preferences is not feasible, an ECA as deemed necessary will be assigned to ensure adequate staffing and coverage for all ECA offerings. The allocation process will consider factors such as teacher expertise, student needs, and the overall balance of ECA programmes.
6. Our school will seek to ensure that students will be encouraged through ECAs to apply the values of consideration, cooperation and courtesy.
7. Where possible (depending on e.g. the availability of students, staff and funding), teams or groups involved in ECAs will participate in FOBISIA events.
8. Transport costs related to local ECA events or tournaments will be met by the school.
9. Uniforms and costumes related to ECAs will, where possible, be provided by our school.
10. Dismissal arrangements are consistent with normal end-of-day arrangements.

CANCELLATION REASONS:

1. Thunderstorm warning or an amber, red or black rainstorm warning.
2. Typhoon warning signal no 8 or above (Year 1to Year 13); typhoon signal no 3 or above (Nursery & Reception).
3. Moderate to heavy rainfall (at the discretion of the Leadership team, the Head of PE and the activity leader).
4. Air quality levels recorded at 200 or above at the designated location for the activity.
5. Any other reason that might detrimentally affect the physical or emotional wellbeing of students as determined by the Leadership team, the Head of PE or the activity leader.

CANCELLATION DEADLINES:

• Before-school activities - 06.30 am where possible. (At times, the Observatory may post a warning after 06.30 am).
• After-school activities - The school will notify you at your earliest convenience. Due to unforeseen circumstances and adverse weather conditions cancellations could happen up to the starting time of an ECA.

POSTING OF NOTICES:

• Parents will be informed of cancellations via the SchoolsBuddy app.
• Secondary school students are regularly selected to represent the school in a variety of extracurricular activities and sporting events. These opportunities allow students to develop their talents, build teamwork skills, and proudly represent DBIS. The school will not seek permission for student participation in these events. Details of events will be published in advance, and parents who do not wish their child to attend any particular event should inform via email the staff member leading the fixture.

OTHER INFORMATION:

• Unless the school is closed to staff, e.g. due to adverse weather conditions, coaching staff will be on location just in case any students turn up. Coaches will ensure that any students in attendance have a safe place to reside until conditions pass.
• In the event of a student injury or medical emergency during an ECA, the procedures outlined in the Student Health Management Policy will be followed.

CONCLUSION:

Students at Discovery Bay International School will be encouraged to participate in a broad range of ECAs for their enjoyment, enrichment and wider participation in life.

Created: 01.05.09

Last Reviewed: 10.03.2025