Health Space
ACE FOUNDATION – GLASSES PROGRAM
The ACE Foundation was established by Chair,
Dr Leon Shapero, in 2014.
The ACE Vision is to assist students of any age in the City of Casey who are experiencing significant challenges in their educational pursuits.
One of the ACE Foundation initiatives is to provide FREE eye testing and provision of FREE glasses for all public students with vision impairment in the City of Casey.
If you have a current Health Care Card, and feel your child may need assistance, please contact Tracey Logonder at Hampton Park Secondary College on 8795 9400 for further information.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough cases are continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children.
Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. Symptoms include:
- blocked or runny nose
- tiredness
- mild fever
- severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.
Whooping cough can lead to life threatening infections in babies.
If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.
Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school
To reduce the spread of infection and to protect others within the school community, students diagnosed with whooping cough are recommended not to attend school for 21 days after their cough was first present, or until they have taken a full course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor (usually a 5-day course).
If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.
I hope we can work together to protect the whole school community by following the recommended advice.
More information
For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.
Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.
I really appreciate your support in keeping our students safe and well.
GENERAL UPDATE
Schools across Victoria are deciding to stock their canteens with delicious, healthy options and healthier marketing. They are also working with food service providers to boost healthy options that can be selected by students for lunch orders.
At the start of Term 3 we held a very productive meeting with the School Nurses Prue, Visiting Secondary School Nurse Kaye, Business Manager Tarn, the Canteen Provider & Laura from Monash Health Promotion Team to discuss ways to promote healthier options at Hampton Park.
We have decided to start with asking students, staff and parents to complete a survey about the food and drink options available at the school canteen and Refreshing the Fridge.
VIC KIDS EAT WELL SCHOOLS SURVEY
The school is keen to hear what customers think about the food and drink options available at the school canteen. If you would like to have your say, please complete the anonymous survey using the QR code below or through the following link:
https://forms.office.com/r/rpz9x12R2D
This survey has been adapted for Vic Kids Eat Well from a survey developed by the Nutrition Australia Vic Division, in collaboration with the Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Deakin University.
WHY REFRESH THE FRIDGE?
A great education starts with kids having the energy and focus to learn at school. Boosting healthy and delicious food and drinks options at school can improve kids’ concentration, mood, memory, learning, academic performance and mental wellbeing and give them the fuel they need to thrive.
Providing healthier food and drinks also helps to meet the Department of Education and Training’s School Canteens and Other School Food Services Policy. We need to surround our kids with delicious, healthy food and drinks, wherever they spend their time so it’s time to refresh the fridge!
HEALTH POP UP
We held the Term 3 Health Pop Up on Mon Sep 9 with a focus on Women’s Health Week topics Courageous Conversations and Trust your gut. It was a great opportunity to chat with students about important women’s health issues. Lots of courageous conversations were had and some great learning about how to have a healthier relationship with food. We had lots of give aways including free bags from Jean Hailes and information for students to take as it interested them.
Kaye Walker (Health Promotion Nurse) + Prue Smith (Health Space Nurse)
Jean Hailes for Women's Health is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving women's health across Australia through every life stage. In 2024 Jean Hailes shone a spotlight on some of the biggest issues in women’s health, under the banner of ‘Your voice. Your choice’. Every day during Women’s Health Week, they released new resources, checklists, stories, podcasts and more. Check out the following link for more info: Program | Jean Hailes
HPV
The HPV vaccine is provided for free to children aged 12 to 13 through school-based programs and protects against nine types of HPV which cause most cervical cancers, other HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
It’s important for Australians aged 25 and under who have missed the vaccine in school to catch up as soon as possible. You can book in for a free catch up through your doctor, local council immunisation provider and some pharmacies.
Find out more about the HPV vaccine and how to catch up at hpvvaccine.org.au
The HPV vaccine is safe, effective and protects against cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers and genital warts. If your child missed getting their HPV vaccine in school, it’s important they catch up as soon as possible. Book in to catch up for free through your doctor, local council or some pharmacies. Find out more on the @cancervic website: hpvvaccine.org.au