Artefact 3-B
Developing leadership
Roles of responsibility in the class
A group of children running a mock community meeting to practise their roles
The noticeboard where roles and responsibility rosters are posted in the classroom
Children in the class can nominate to undertake responsibilities within the class, including roles for conducting our weekly community meeting (see Artefact 3-A), such as meeting chair, minute taker, timekeeper and holder of the speaking rock. The meeting chair will read our acknowledgment of country to officially open our meeting, read agenda items aloud and call for solutions. Children that are less confident in reading may choose to have a buddy to support them with reading the acknowledgement and agenda items, so this role is not dependent upon reading ability, and is more about the ability to manage the meeting flow.
Other responsibilities within the class include answering the phone, managing snack times, making announcements during class, dismissal as well as a range of responsibilities related to running our weekly sit-down shared meal.
Meeting with the Assistant Principal to discuss the risk assessment plan for a going out
Children signing out at the front office before leaving for the going out
Checking directions on the going out
Purchasing items at Woolworths using the self-serve registers
Debriefing the going out including reconciling the money and receipts
Going Out
Going Out involves children leaving the classroom for a specific purpose, such as purchasing supplies for the class, obtaining further information to support their work, or to engage in activities that serve the wider community. To participate in a Going Out, a child must display responsibility within the classroom and an understanding of societal expectations for behaviour to ensure that they and others they encounter, will be safe. The process begins with one or more children discussing their idea for a Going Out with me or the assistant, and then preparing a written proposal that explains the purpose of their planned Going Out, along with a budget and other practical considerations, such as their means of transport. To gain approval there may be some discussion and clarification of aspects required to which the children must attend. Once their proposal is approved, they children will then conduct a risk assessment with the support of either myself or the classroom assistant, which is then signed off by the school Principal. The children also write a permission form that is sent to their parents to give them consent to attend the Going Out.
During the Going Out, children are accompanied by an adult, usually the classroom assistant, who is there to ensure the children’s safety. Apart from intervening in the case of immediate danger, the adult stays in the background and the children are responsible for decision making and all other aspects of the Going Out, such as following the directions they have planned, paying for goods and ensuring they have the correct change, and reconciling their transactions upon return to school.