Environment, Facilities and Grounds

Mary Boutros & Dr Denise Clarke (leave)

AWARENESS- Free Period Products Initiative
Our school participates in the Victorian Government’s Free Period Products in Schools initiative, ensuring all students have access to free sanitary products (pads and tampons) when needed. This supports student wellbeing, reduces stigma, and ensures that periods are not a barrier to learning.

In our school we have two dispensers that we ensure are always stocked.
1. Dispenser one- Girls Secondary toilet in secondary breezeway
2. Dispenser two - Girls Secondary toilet in Yaluk Building

These dispensers are accessible at all times in these two toilet areas and are not locked.

**Please note that a new sanitary product dispenser will be installed in the Living Skills kitchen next week (18th May) for student access and support.

Students are welcome to take a small supply to keep in their school bags, and staff may also include some in first aid kits for excursions to ensure access when needed.

If you would like more information, please let me know.

Staff Reminder – Storeroom, Maintenance Shed & Tool Use
Just a quick reminder of a few important expectations to support safety and organisation across the school:
- Storeroom use: Please do not leave or “dump” items in the storeroom. If an item requires removal, log it via the Maintenance Log so Jacob can arrange appropriate removal.
- Maintenance Shed: This is a restricted area. Staff are not permitted to enter under any circumstances, and equipment in this space is not for staff or student use.
- Tool use: Tools in the Maintenance Shed are for Jacob only. Students may only use tools within the HOL area, under staff supervision and with an appropriate risk assessment in place.
We appreciate your support in maintaining safe and consistent practices across the school. If you’re unsure about any process, please feel free to check in.

RUBBISH

To support safe and appropriate waste management across the school, I would like to clarify the designated rubbish disposal areas.

Hard Rubbish: eg furniture, bikes etc

General Waste (eg that are collected from classrooms by the cleaners at the end of the day) is to be disposed of in the large skip bin serviced by Premier Waste.

Recycling (eg cardboard, paper)should be placed in the council recycling bins only. Please ensure that hard rubbish is not placed in the general waste skip or recycling bins, as this can result in collection issues.

MUSHROOM ALERT!

When requesting infrastructure, please complete the following two forms.

Infrastructure Request Form

This form is used when staff would like to request new equipment, furniture, or any improvement to the school environment. It ensures that all infrastructure requests are documented, considered, and reviewed by the Infrastructure Committee before any decisions are made.

Staff should outline the request, the purpose, who will benefit, any estimated costs, and how the project would be implemented and monitored. A risk assessment must also be attached if the request involves equipment or activities that may present safety risks.

Risk Assessment Template

This template is used to identify and manage potential hazards related to an activity, piece of equipment, or environmental change.

Staff record the activity being assessed, possible hazards, existing safety controls, the risk rating, and any additional controls required to reduce risk.

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

To assist in minimising smells, please ensure:

All biological hazards are double bagged before being placed in bins.
Bins are not overfilled.
If a bin becomes heavily soiled or odorous, please tie the bag securely and arrange for it to be removed. A new liner should then be placed in the bin.

These small actions make a significant difference in maintaining a clean and hygienic environment.

Contractor works take time to organise, including site visits, obtaining quotes, approval of quotes, and scheduling works.

Classroom Incidents

Classroom cleaning incidents during the day

Cleaning spills on Carpet: Staff are expected to cleanup spills, bodily fluids and other actions as thoroughly as they are able.

Absorbent Material (former Kitty Litter)

Please note: We now have a new absorbent product available for small spills (e.g. vomit) and for other minor incidents, which is called "SpillFix Floor All Purpose Absorbent". This will help contain the spill quickly and reduce slip risks.

If a deeper clean is required, notify Mary (0467 728 193) so a spot steam clean if needed can be booked. Spot stem cleans occur at the end of the day.

Please use chalk to draw a mark around the spill, leaving a 20-30cm margin around the affected area. This will help the steam cleaner locate and treat the spill efficiently.

Cleaning spills on vinyl:Staff to clean up spills as thoroughly as possible. After cleaning, email or text Mary (0467728193) to inform them of the spill and request a note in the Cleaners Logbook for additional cleaning, if needed.