Schools run hundreds of non-timetabled activities every year: excursions, camps, carnivals, open days, assemblies. Each one carries real responsibility. Orca is the governance platform purpose-built to manage all of it.
Layer 1 — Timetabled Classes. Maths, English, Science labs, roll call. These are managed by your Student Information System (SIS). They follow a fixed timetable, they have clear ownership, and they're well-governed by existing tools.
Layer 2 — Co-Curricular Programs. Swimming squads, chess club, debating teams, music ensembles. These are regular, recurring programs often managed by teams management tools like Clipboard. They have their own rhythms and structures.
Layer 3 — Non-Timetabled Activities. This is where it gets complicated. Yr 10 Camp, the Swimming Carnival, Open Day, ANZAC Day Service, international trips, athletics carnivals, parent evenings, staff professional development days. These activities don't appear on the timetable. They're planned ad hoc, often by different staff, with varying levels of risk, compliance requirements, and communication needs.
This third layer is where schools carry the most responsibility, and it's exactly where governance gaps appear. Approvals happen via email. Risk assessments live in shared drives. Communication is scattered. Audit trails don't exist.
Orca is the governance platform for Layer 3, purpose-built to fill the gap that no other system covers.
Maths Period 3, English, Science labs, Roll call
Your SIS handles thisSwimming squad, Chess club, Debating teams
Teams management toolsYr 10 Camp, Swimming Carnival, Open Day, Excursions
This is where Orca livesOrca doesn't replace your SIS or your co-curricular tools. It fills the governance gap for everything else.
| SIS | Co-Curricular (e.g. Clipboard) | Orca | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Timetabled classes & student records | Regular sport/activity programs | Non-timetabled events & governance |
| Examples | Maths Period 3, Roll call | Swimming squad, Chess club | Yr 10 Camp, Swimming Carnival, Open Day |
| Approvals | N/A | Basic | Multi-step configurable workflows |
| Risk Assessments | No | No | Template-driven, auto-generated PDF |
| Compliance Trail | Attendance only | Limited | Full audit trail, revision history |
| Parent Comms | Report cards, absences | Team notifications | Event-specific messaging, permissions, calendar |
When non-timetabled activities aren't governed properly, the consequences are real, and they fall on the school.
See how Orca transforms activity management at your school. Book a personalised demo and we'll walk you through exactly how Orca fits your workflows.