Head Lice Information:

Head lice do not transmit infectious diseases – they are transmitted by having head-to-head contact with someone who has head lice. You may be reassured to know that head lice are commonly found in places other than at school. Head lice are common in school-aged children and are the most adaptable of creatures. They have survived living solely on humans for 10,000 years!

What can you do?

We kindly as for your assistance in checking your child’s hair and in those instances where head lice or eggs are found, treating your child’s hair.

Please visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au and search for “head lice (nits)” for advice on finding, treating, and preventing head lice.

If head lice or eggs are found on your child’s hair you need to inform:

the school and advise when the treatment has started.
parents or carers of your child’s friends so they too have the opportunity to detect and treat their children if necessary.

When can my child return to school?

Health regulations requires that where a child has head lice, that child should not return to school until the day after appropriate treatment has started.

Please note, this refers only to those children who have live head lice and does not refer to head lice eggs.

We do recommend that families try to remove all eggs where possible before returning to school.

More information about exclusion requirements can be found by searching for “school exclusion table” at www.health.vic.gov.au.

Great Ryrie Primary School is aware that head lice can be a sensitive issue and is committed to maintaining your confidentiality.

Great Ryrie Grapevine

We are a Respectful and Responsible Learning Community.

Issue 24 · 07 Aug 2026

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