Health Space
Vaping Webinar
Monash Health, together with City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong, Cardinia Shire Council and Quite Victoria, is offering a: Free Understanding Vaping Webinar with guest speaker Sharon Torpey from Drug Education Victoria.
Mid last term Prue and Kaye held a Health Pop Up in the new presentation space in Walton House! We had a great time promoting SunSmart behaviour and focusing on the importance of hydration. About 150 students dropped past and lots of FREE sunscreen was given away.
The next Health Pop Up is being planned for last week of Term 2 with a focus on healthy eating. We encourage the students to pop in!
The Health Promotion Nurse Kaye Walker (DET Secondary School Nurse) has changed work days and is now available on Monday and Tuesday and located in the Wellbeing Centre.
The role is primarily health promotion focused and attached is an infographic to explain the role.
PLEASE NOTE: The health promotion nurse cannot undertake long term counselling around psychological, relationship or educational problems.
To make a referral please follow the wellbeing referral process.
Regards, Kaye
Canteen Menu Refresh
We are proud to launch the refreshed HPSC School Canteen Menu. A working group involving Kerry Atkinson (Canteen Manager), Andrea Philipsen (Business Manager), Kaye Walker (Health Promotion Nurse) and Prue Smith (School Nurse) have worked towards a full refresh of the HPSC Canteen Menu for 2023. The team have all worked together in a very positive and collaborative way. The new menu includes the traffic light system and has been endorsed by School Council. Please refer to the following explanation of the traffic light classification system from page 7 of the Healthy choices: food and drink classification guide: A system for classifying foods and drinks.
Stay well this winter
Symptoms of influenza (flu) can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from getting the flu.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended from mid-April each year and is free under the National Immunisation Program for those at higher risk of complications from the flu.
Keeping our school community well
Parents, carers and students are encouraged to practice prevention measures, including:
- Washing and sanitising hands regularly
- avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
- staying home if unwell and consulting a general practitioner (GP) or Nurse-on-call as required
- staying up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Flu Vaccinations
Flu vaccinations can be booked through GPs and pharmacies, many of which can also provide COVID-19 vaccinations. Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.
Some people are more at risk of complications from flu and are eligible for free vaccination as part of the National Immunisation Program.
COVID-19 booster
The 2023 COVID-19 booster is available for everyone aged 18 and above. Getting your booster dose remains the best way to prevent severe illness or hospitalisation, especially in people aged over 65 and those at higher risk of severe illness.
You can have your booster dose 6 months after your last dose or COVID infection.
Children aged 5 and 17 years who are at risk of severe illness can also receive a 2023 booster dose.
You can get your next dose at your local pharmacy or GP. To find one near you, refer to the vaccine clinic finder.
Find out more
For more information about preventing flu, and immunisation, refer to: