Student Health
February 2023
SECONDARY SCHOOL VACCINATIONS - 2023
The Secondary School Vaccine Program offers free vaccines to Year 7 and 10 students. These vaccines provide protection against:
· Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) – one dose for year 7 students
· Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – two doses for year 7 students
· Meningococcal A, C, W, Y – one dose for year 10 students
Parents/guardians of year 7 and 10 students should look out for the vaccine consent card booklet coming home from school with your child. You need to read the information, complete and return the card regardless of whether your child is being vaccinated at school.
The City of Whitehorse immunisation service may contact you about the Secondary School Vaccine Program. Schools are authorised to provide basic parent/guardian contact details to local councils for this purpose. Contact the school by Friday 24 February 2023 if you do not want your contact details given to the City of Whitehorse immunisation service.
To learn more about the Secondary School Vaccine Program, the vaccines, the diseases they protect against, or how you can prepare your child for vaccination, go to betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Additionally, the Commonwealth government is funding vaccinations for all children under 20 years of age who missed any scheduled vaccines, including a catch-up program for Meningococcal ACWY vaccine for adolescents aged 15-19 years of age who have not already received the vaccine in school. If students have missed vaccines, either in childhood or adolescence, and require catch-up vaccines, they should speak with their immunisation provider. (ie. local council or GP).
Department of Education & Training – Immunisation Policy
Department of Education & Training – COVID-19 Vaccinations – Visitors and Volunteers on School Sites
FIRST AID
Please do not send your son or daughter to school if they are unwell. Schools are places where cross infection happens very easily. If your child has symptoms of a cold or stomach upset, then they will be passing it on to other students and staff.
In cases where a student reports that they have vomited and or suffering from diarrhoea, it is a recommendation of the Department of Health that students are sent home immediately and excluded from school for 48 hours after all symptoms have stopped.
The sick bay is a facility that is not staffed full time, and is provided to temporarily care for students, who are injured. Students who are unwell, are seated in the main reception and monitored until a nominated contact can come and collect them. Please ensure that your contact details and emergency contacts are up to date so that if the school is required to make contact with you to pick up your child/ren this can be done with maximum efficiency. Your understanding in this matter will benefit your own child as well as the rest of the college community.
Department of Education & Training – First Aid
Department of Education & Training - Headlice
Department of Education & Training – Infectious Disease
STUDENTS WITH ANAPHYLAXIS
Anaphylaxis is a serious health issue. Parents are asked to assist the college staff by supplying an EpiPen that is in-date together with a current Anaphylaxis Plan.
If students are going off-campus e.g. school sports, camps or excursions, and do not have a spare EpiPen in their bags, they must collect their EpiPen or medication from the general office and return it at the conclusion of the day.
It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and signs and dates these documents. It is also required that all parent details are completed on these forms. The updated Action Plan is then supplied to Mullauna College.
Department of Education & Training – Anaphylaxis Policy
ASTHMA
Asthma is a serious health issue. Parents are asked to assist the college staff by supplying an up-to-date Asthma Plan – it is a requirement that this is signed off by your medical practitioner. Recommended that you also supply a Ventolin that is in date and spacer. Both should be carried by your child daily.
If students are going off-campus e.g. school sports, camps or excursions, and do not have their Ventolin and spacer, there will be a school Ventolin and disposable spacers in first aid kits carried by staff on the day.
It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and signs and dates these documents. It is also required that all parent details are completed on these forms. The updated Action Plan is then supplied to Mullauna College.
Department of Education & Training – Asthma Policy
ALLERGIES
Known food and environmental related allergies may occur while your child is at school. It recommended that you provide the school with an Allergy Action Plan that has been signed off by a medical practitioner and the appropriate medication is supplied.
Upon supply of the appropriate medication, please ensure that it is in its original unopened packaging to the General Office. The medication will be stored in a clearly labelled tub with your child’s name and photo, along with the completed form, the medication will be administered as per the Action Plan.
It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and signs and dates these documents. It is also required that all parent details are completed on these forms. The updated Action Plan is then supplied to Mullauna College.
Department of Education & Training – Allergy Policy
STUDENTS WITH OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS
If your child develops a medical condition that requires medication or monitoring during school hours, please notify the school as soon as practicable.
It is required that your medical practitioner reviews Action Plans annually and signs and dates these documents. It is also required that all parent details are completed on these forms. The updated Action Plan is then supplied to Mullauna College.
Department of Education & Training – Diabetes
Department of Education & Training – Epilepsy & Seizures
OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS
This includes all Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, ointments and hay fever relief medications.
Parents need to be aware that any over the counter medications are not given out to students under any circumstance. As a consequence of this the following procedures have been put into place:
- On presenting themselves to the general office the student will be asked to sit quietly for 10-15 minutes and will be given a glass of water.
- If they appear to be better they will be sent back to class.
- If no apparent relief is observed parents will be rung to collect the student from school.
If your child needs regular over the counter medication, you will be required to complete a Medical Authority form, supply the appropriate medication in its original unopened packaging to the General Office. The medication will be stored in a clearly labelled tub with your child’s name and photo, along with the completed form, the medication will be administered as per instructions provided by you.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
n the event that your child requires prescription medication to be taken during school hours or whilst on a school camp, you will be required to complete a Medical Authority form, supply the appropriate medication in its original packaging, so that the prescription label can be clearly sighted. It is Department of Education policy that the packaged medication is not tampered with before it is received by the school, please do not pre-cut blister packs or pour liquid medication into other containers.
The medication will be stored in a clearly labelled tub with your child’s name and photo, along with the completed form. The medication will be administered as per the prescription label, Medical Authority Form that has been signed by you and the Medical Practitioner.