IMPORTANT: ENPS Community Alert

Recently, we have seen a significant increase in nut and nut products being packed in school lunches or included in party bags brought to be shared with peers. These incidences pose a serious risk to our students with nut allergies. We strongly encourage ENPS families to not include any nuts or nut products in their child’s school lunches. This helps ensure the safety of all our students.

Party Bags and Shared Treats

At Essendon North Primary School, while we love to celebrate birthdays, we kindly ask that birthday cakes, homemade treats, and party bags not be brought to school to share with others and ask that they aresaved for home celebrations or out of school parties.

This helps reduce the risk of accidental allergen exposure which can pose a life-threatening danger to some students.  We have students in every year level at ENPS who have Anaphylaxis/Allergies to nuts. The safety and wellbeing of these students is a shared responsibility between the school and our families. We all play a vital role in reducing the risk of an anaphylactic incident.

Our Commitment to Safety

ENPS follows a strict Anaphylaxis Policy that aligns with the Victorian Guidelines for Anaphylaxis Management in schools.

We are committed to:

• Providing, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of the student’s schooling.

• Actively involving parents/carers of each student at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies and management strategies for the student.

• Ensuring all staff members have adequate knowledge of allergies, anaphylaxis, and training in dealing with emergency procedures.

• Facilitating communication to optimise the safety and wellbeing of students at risk of anaphylaxis.

How You Can Help:

To help reinforce the importance of allergy awareness, please remind your child of the following points (which are displayed in classrooms and taught by teachers):

Student Expectations:

1. Take food allergies seriously – they are not a joke.

2. Don’t share food.

3. Wash hands after eating.

4. Be aware of your friends’ allergies.

5. Seek help immediately if someone is unwell.

6. Respect adrenaline autoinjectors – they are not toys.

7. Never pressure friends to eat unsafe foods.

NOTE: Students with Anaphylaxis, Allergies or Asthma require medical plans:

• ASCIA Anaphylaxis Plan signed by a doctor updated annually

• ASCIA Allergic Reaction Plan signed by a doctor updated annually

• All medications (EpiPen; Ventolin) are provided by parents and carers; expiries are checked and replaced regularly

If you have any questions please review the ENPS Anaphylaxis Policy on our website, or contact our School Nurse, Kiera Heasly or Principal, Kate Barletta.

We thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our students safe.

Thank you,

ENPS First Aid Team