The NGSAEC procedures, are the result of a combined effort between the Department for Education AEC and the NGSAEC. These will be a continual work in progress and input from schools is welcomed by our committee. Any feedback or suggestions, changes to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or new SOPs can be tabled for consideration by our committee.  The intent is to keep the SOPs across all three sectors the same. Updates will filter through to schools on a regular basis with updates available here as soon as approved.

All schools have received copies of the Procedures Manual.  Where schools have an Agricultural program an additional copy was sent for the use of the Head of Agricultural Studies (or similar).  The NGSAEC Procedures Manual for animals kept in schools provides schools with the guidelines to seek approval to keep animals in schools. The approval process is as follows:

 

Category	Approval
Category 1	Must be approved by the Principal/Director.
Category 2	Can be approved by the Principal/Director or delegated Animal Ethics Focus Person or Teacher provided that the Standard Operating Procedure for the care of the animal as per the guidelines is followed.
Category 3	Requires approval by the Principal/Director provided that the Standard Operating Procedure for the care of the animal as per the guidelines is followed.
Category 4 & 5	Requires approval by the NGSAEC.
Category 6	Prohibited activities.

 

Application to keep Animals in Schools for Science and Teaching Purposes
This form must be completed for applications for animals to kept at schools that fall into Category 4 or 5 or Non Listed Activities for the period 1 May to 30 April each year. The form should be returned to the Committee by 31 March in year to the address shown above.  Emailed copies are preferred.  Where Category 2 or 3 activities are performed in conjunction with Category 4 or 5 activities these activities must be included. Where an activity is not listed in the procedure manual this application form must be completed and sent to the AEC for approval. Animals kept at schools that fall into Category 2 or 3 must be approved, as per the manual, by the Principal or delegated officer. These animals must be cared for as described in the SOP contained in the manual. If an animal is not cared for in line with the SOP a full application to the NGSAEC must be made.

 

Notification from Veterinary Practice re School as Client
This form is to be completed by the Veterinary Practice where the school is a client.  This is to give the Committee some assurance that the Practice is ready to service the school’s animals when required.

 

Request for Approval to Use Animals for Dissections
This form is to be completed where schools are performing dissections and must be submitted to the NGSAEC for approval. These forms should be sent to the address shown above.  Emailed copies are preferred.  All requests for approval to dissect animals must be submitted and approved prior to the activity being carried out.

 

Adverse Events Form
Where an animal becomes ill, injured, dies or other unexpected incident directly affecting the health and wellbeing of an animal this must be reported to the NGSAEC within 7 days of the event occurring.  This applies to any animal cared for at the school.  These forms should be sent to the address shown above.  Emailed copies are preferred.

 

Applications for Category 2 and 3 Animals

Applications for Category 2 & 3 activities require the approval of the School Principal/Director. Please refer to the Standard Operating Procedures for more detailed information.

A review of the AEC Standard Operating Procedures took place in 2020.  Please click here to view the presentation.

Standard Operating Procedures for the use of Animals in Schools – Overview & Appendices
SOP 01 Frogs and Tadpoles
SOP 02 Tortoises
SOP 03 Guinea Pigs
SOP 04 Lizards
SOP 05 Mice
SOP 06 Rabbits
SOP 07 Sheep
SOP 08 Snakes
SOP 09 Invertebrates
SOP 10 Axolotls
SOP 11 Caged Birds
SOP 12 Dunnarts
SOP 13 Fish
SOP 14 Aquaculture
SOP 15 Hermit Crabs
SOP 16 Yabbies
SOP 17 Rats
SOP 18 Alpacas
SOP 19 Cattle
SOP 20 Domestic Fowls
SOP 21 Ducks and Geese
SOP 22 Goats
SOP 23 Horses
SOP 24 Pigs
SOP 25 Turkeys
SOP 26 Show and Tell

A workshop was conducted on 9 November 2018 for Animal Ethics Focus Persons.  Unfortunately the recording of the workshop was unable to be placed  on our website as the file was not readable when we attempted to load.  The documents below may help you with your applications.

NGS Animal Ethics Workshop – How to apply for and look after animals in Schools
Well written and detailed Adverse Event Report example
Example of Animal Feed Care and Health Records – there are two different styles within the same document.

The following are examples of well written and detailed Applications for:

• Snake
• Alpacas
• Sheep

Below are some valuable resources for schools that keep fish as part of their School Curriculum.  The NGSAEC have been granted approval to use these documents:

Australian Government DAFF Aquatic Animal Welfare Guidelines
Fish and Fisheries – Can fish really feel pain?
Flinders Uni SOP for the use of Marine and Aquaculture Facilities
Flinders Uni SOP for Working with Fish
Information on Euthanasia of Fish

The following site offers invaluable information in regard to the incubation and hatching of eggs for lifecycle projects.  It is recommended that a school who wishes to facilitate this type of program use the Living Eggs Program which provides very good procedures, collects the chicks for re-homing and provides guides for different levels of schooling.

The following links offer invaluable information regarding Scabby Mouth in Sheep.
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Victorian Farmers Federation Livestock Group
NSW Department of Primary Industries