Fieldwork & Safety
Safe, respectful and accessible investigation
While the primary experience is virtual, it is essential for students to understand that responsible fieldwork requires consideration of physical, cultural, emotional, and digital safety. The teacher reviews all resources in advance, sets expectations for respectful discussions, and adjusts access to accommodate the class.
| Potential issue | Risk / barrier | Teacher response |
|---|---|---|
| Confronting war content | Some material may be confronting or distressing. | Preview resources; select age-appropriate material; warn students before sensitive content; allow a quiet alternative task or break; avoid graphic imagery. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content | Resources may contain names, images or voices of deceased people and culturally sensitive material. | Display appropriate warnings, follow source guidance and cultural protocols, and avoid reproducing restricted material. |
| Online navigation | Students may leave approved resources or encounter unsuitable external content. | Provide teacher-curated links, use school-approved devices/platforms and explicitly teach responsible digital behaviour. |
| Accessibility | Video, dense text or visual material may create participation barriers | Use captions/transcripts, screen-reader-friendly text, alt text, enlarged visuals, audio alternatives, flexible response modes and additional processing time where required. |
| Physical visit extension | Movement, crowds, transport, stairs, fatigue and separation from the group. | Complete school risk assessment; confirm supervision ratios, transport, emergency procedures, meeting points, accessibility and medical requirements before travel. |
| Respectful conduct | The Memorial is a place of commemoration. | Explicitly teach site etiquette: calm movement, respectful language, appropriate photography and consideration of other visitors. |
Student safety check: Before beginning, students identify one way to investigate respectfully, one digital-safety expectation and one action they can take if content makes them uncomfortable.