Health, Allergies & Illness
Illness
Should your child become ill or be injured at school we will contact one of the parents or nominated contacts and ask that they arrange for the child to be picked up. If a situation arose where we were unable to make contact with the parents or any of the nominated people we would take what action was considered appropriate by the fully qualified first aid staff. This could involve calling an ambulance.
Emergency information is provided through the student enrolment form. Please communicate any changes to the office as soon as possible.
Only trained first aid staff administer first aid at the school.
Other Issues relating to illness:
1) Some infectious diseases require a period of exclusion from school. A schedule of common diseases is included below.
2) Children who are unwell before school or have not fully recovered from illness should not be sent to school.
3) Please ensure that the school is made aware of medical conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, anaphylaxis, diabetes.
4) Regulations require parents to forward a written explanation for all absences.
5) Please use the Compass app to notify the school and log student absences.
Exclusion From School
For more information on additional diseases and conditions, please visit:
www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table
and
www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/covid-19-school-operations/advice
Asthma
If your child suffers from asthma, please make sure the school is aware of his/her condition. A Student’s Asthma Action Plan must be completed by a doctor and a copy must be given to the school office. It is important that appropriate medication is sent to the school with the child and kept at the sick bay should it be needed.
Acting on the recommendation of the Asthma Foundation, the school does not have an asthma pump. Please ensure that your child brings their asthma pump to school.
Anaphylaxis
The school has an anaphylaxis policy that is in line with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development policy. A Student’s Anaphylaxis Management Plan is to be completed by a doctor and supplied along with their Epipen to the school. To support this policy:
- Students are instructed not to share food.
- Parents are asked not to send cakes, lollies or other treats to school in party bags for children’s birthdays. This ensures children do not consume something that is not fit for them.
- Parents of students with allergies are asked to provide an alternative snack or treat that can be left at school.
- Parents of children with severe allergic reactions to particular foods are asked to ensure their child understands what foods they can and cannot eat
Head Lice
We recommend that parents check their child’s hair regularly. The most effective way to do this is with a fine toothed comb. Following is the method recommended by the Health Department. Checks should be performed on a weekly basis during term time. If lice or eggs are found, treat hair immediately with a commercial head lice product. Head lice treatments are available from your local pharmacy/supermarket. Treatment must be repeated seven days later.
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development regulations state that children must not return to school until after treatment has commenced and there are no live lice in the hair.
Visiting Medical Services
Prep students have vision, hearing and general health screening examinations performed once a year by a visiting school nurse. Forms are sent home with children prior to this occurring.