Health and Related Issues
Emergency Information
A file of "Emergency Information" is kept at the school Office. Please ensure all information filed at the school is updated regularly, particularly changes of name, address, work and contact people and phone numbers. If your child becomes ill or suffers an injury at school, you will be notified so that you may collect him/her. It is crucial that you provide the school with updated phone numbers and names of contact people for emergencies of this kind.
Medication
Children are not permitted to keep medication on themselves, in classrooms or school bags where they could be obtained by other children. Should children require medication during school hours it is necessary to sign "Use of Medication" forms which are kept at the office, so office staff may administer medication. Please make arrangements with the office if you prefer to administer medication personally. If your child suffers from asthma, please provide the office with an asthma management plan. Asthma sufferers are encouraged to keep puffers with them, provided that they are well labeled with the child's name, class and dosage.
Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergy)
Please do not send foods containing nuts or egg to school, because we have students with severe and potentially life threatening allergies to these foods. It seems that almost all food packaging these days contains the warning ‘may contain traces of nuts'. It is NOT NECESSARY to exclude these foods from school. Only foods which list nuts/nut oil as an ingredient are of concern. You can send foods to school such as cakes, which have egg as an ingredient, but we ask that you avoid sending egg sandwiches or whole eggs. Food such as birthday cakes which will be shared by other students should always be given to the teacher for distribution, as they are aware of which students in their class have allergies.
Infectious Diseases
Some common infectious diseases require a certain period of exclusion from school. Currently, under the Public Health Act 1991, school principals and directors of childcare facilities are required to notify the local Public Health Unit if a child attending the school/facility is known to have certain infectious diseases. If your child contracts one of the notifiable diseases we would ask that the school is contacted as soon as possible.
Contagious Diseases
Chicken Pox: Exclude for 5 days after the first spot appears.
German Measles: Exclude until fully recovered, and for a minimum of 6 days after the rash appears.
Measles: Exclude for at least 6 days from appearance of rash.
Mumps: Exclude until fully recovered and for at least one week from the onset of the swelling.
Ringworm, Scabies: Re-admit when appropriate treatment has commenced, supported by a medical certificate when requested.
Pediculosis Head Lice: If your child complains of an itchy head or is often scratching it, he or she may have head lice. These are small biting insects which can't live for long anywhere except on human heads. They live on human blood and can cause itchiness, irritation and lack of sleep. If they aren't dealt with they can sometimes cause infections which can lead to sores and swollen glands. The lice are hard to see, they move quickly but don't jump or fly. Their eggs, which are called nits, look like small whitish specks. Each one is laid and stuck firmly to a hair close to the scalp. Head lice move easily from one person's head to another, so if your child has head lice you need to keep him of her home from school until you have carried out the treatment and the hair is clear of nits. You also need to tell the child's teacher. If hair is long it may be better tied up or plaited.
1. Look for nits (eggs) - whitish specks stuck to the hair. Look closely at the back of the neck and behind the ears. If you see live lice, this means your child needs treatment.
2. Buy head lice lotion from the chemist. No prescription is necessary. Also buy a fine tooth comb.
3. Apply lotion as directed, leave on for recommended time.
4. Remove nits with the fine tooth comb and between your fingernails pressed together.
5. Clean pillows, backs of seats, change Bed linen etc.
6. Check the hair of everyone in the family.
Any nits found more than 2cm from the scalp after treatment are dead. Remember that anyone can catch head lice where a number of people work and play together. Children from a clean, well kept home can still catch them from others!
Trachoma Conjunctivitis: Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased.
Impetigo: Exclude until sores have healed. The child may be allowed to return provided that treatment is being applied and that sores on exposed surfaces are properly covered with dressings.
Currently, under the Public Health Act 1991, school principals and directors of childcare facilities are required to notify the local Public Health Unit if a child attending the school/facility is known to have:
- Diptheria
- Poliomyelitis (Polio)
- Tetanus
- Measles
- Mumps
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Rubella (German Measles)
Important Information
We need to know
Please provide the school with information about your child such as, allergies, asthma, difficulties with speech, vision, hearing. Are they likely to have difficulties separating from you, following instructions or mixing with the other children? The information you provide will be treated confidentially, but it will assist teachers to place your child in a suitable class and apply for extra assistance if required. Failure to inform the school early could cause unnecessary delays in your child receiving special funding or assistance.
Enrolment Forms
The personal information provided on the Enrolment Form is being obtained for the purpose of processing the student's application for enrolment. It will be used by the Department of Education and Training for general student administration and communication and other matters relating to the education and welfare of the student. While the provision of this information is voluntary, if you do not provide all or any of this information it may delay or prevent the processing of this application for enrolment. This information will be stored securely. You may access or correct any personal information provided by contacting the school.
Smoking
Parents are advised that NO SMOKING is permitted indoors or outdoors on school premises