Keeping our Kids Safe and Healthy
Lollipops at School
We have recently observed several students bringing lollipops to school and attempting to carry these in their mouths around the school grounds during recess and lunch play time.
Lollipops pose a serious choking risk due to the nature of the lolly being firm, generally round and slippery. Further risk for serious injury and choking is posed by the lollipop sticks themselves in the instance a student falls with these in their mouths. Therefore, we STRONGLY ADVISE that parents and carers avoid packing lollipops in their child's lunchbox.
Carrying food around at recess and lunch play times poses a risk to all students, including those who are anaphylactic. Students are to consume their recess snacks within student cohort eating zones, and remaining food packed away into lunchboxes before heading off to play. Lunch eating time is designated between 1:15pm - 1:30pm within cohort eating zones, and no food is to be taken to play areas when students head off as the play bell sounds at 1:30pm.
At Essendon North Primary School, we encourage children to consume healthy food options for their brain food, morning tea and lunch and encourage families to refrain from packing lollies and drinks other than water in lunchboxes, as these are considered treats and not necessary at school. Following the Department of Education Anaphylaxis Guidelines set out under the Education and Training Reform Act (2006) and Ministerial Order 706, at ENPS we do not ban food products, however, instead encourage responsible eating and food allergy awareness.
We thank our families for their consideration of the above and cooperation in keeping our kids safe and healthy.
Before and After School Supervision
Student safety at Essendon North Primary School is our highest priority and the safe and appropriate supervision of students is an important element of our duty of care to students. Part of this duty is ensuring parents and students are aware of our student supervision arrangements before and after school. School staff are rostered on for playground duty during recess and lunch, and are on the entrance gates before school and after school.
School grounds are supervised at the entry gates before school from 8.30am. After school, staff are allocated to supervise the exit gates until 3.30pm. In order to ensure the safety of all students, a reminder to families that our playgrounds are out of bounds before and after school. This includes the Foundation Playground, oval and Inclusive Play Space. Students on school grounds outside these times are not supervised (unless they are attending a before or after school care program or supervised extracurricular activity).
Parents/carers are requested to ensure that students and/or family members do not enter Essendon North Primary School outside of these supervised times unless they are attending before or after school care, or a pre-arranged supervised activity (i.e. sports practice). Families are encouraged to contact TeamKids on 1300 035 000 or refer to https://teamkids.com.au for more information about the before and after school care facilities available to our school community.
A copy of our school’s Yard Duty and Supervision Policy can be found on our school website, or by contacting the office. This policy includes Essendon North Primary School’s student supervision arrangements across the school day, including before and after school.