Accidents or Sickness
Minor injuries or illnesses which occur during the day are normally attended to at school. In more serious situations every endeavour is made to contact a parent/caregiver or the emergency contact to arrange for the child to be collected from school.
Should such contact be unable to be made, the school will act according to the best interests of the child, but no responsibility will be accepted for medical costs, eg. Ambulance. In extreme emergencies, the student may be taken to the hospital before the parents are notified.
Infectious Diseases
The following ailments require a period of exclusion from school unless a doctor is prepared to issue a medical certificate indicating that the child is free from infection and well enough to return to normal school activities.
| ILLNESS | RE-ADMISSION |
| Chicken Pox | When sufficiently recovered (Usually once all sores have healed and redness fades) |
| Conjunctivitis | Once effective treatment has been commenced |
| Diphtheria | Medical certificate only |
| Viral Hepatitis | Medical certificate only |
| Impetigo (School Sores) | Must be under treatment inc. use of occlusive dressings |
| Influenza Return | When symptoms have subsided |
| Measles | Seven days from onset |
| Mumps | On medical certificate of recovery |
| Head Lice -Pediculosis (Nits) | Once treated (see following) |
| Ringworm | Once all signs have subsided |
| Rubella (German Measles) | Medical certificate only |
| Scabies | Once effective treatment has been instituted |
| Whooping Cough | Medical certificate only |
Administration of Medications
The Education Department has established guidelines about the administration of medication to students. All schools are required to comply with these guidelines. The following conditions apply:
- Should students be self-administering medication, a note must be sent to the teacher explaining all relevant details. A sample note is available from the class teacher or the Administration Office.
- If a student is required to carry and self-administer prescribed medication on a long term basis the parent/caregiver must complete a “Student Self Administration of Medication Advice”. Only one day’s medication is to be carried by the child at any time.
If the child is unable to administer their own medication, then the parent/caregiver needs to complete two forms:
(a) Request for Teachers to Administer Medication
(b) Medical Instructions from the Prescribing Doctor.
School staff must not administer analgesics such as paracetamol to students without written instructions from the student’s parent/caregiver. Aspirin must never be administered to students without a medical practitioner’s written instruction because of the possibility of Reye’s Syndrome. (a potentially fatal disease of childhood).
All relevant forms are available from the office and we suggest that parents/caregivers obtain a copy of these before going to the doctor with a sick child.
Geraldton Health Services
Health nurses will be attending the school during the year to conduct child health, vision and hearing tests. We will notify parents as to when this will be occurring
Head Lice
Head lice have no respect for people. They can be found in all types of families, and usually infest the cleanest hair first. They are not a medical emergency, but are quick to spread from person to person.
If not properly treated, head lice can become a serious nuisance in the school community as they are passed from one person to another. Any place where people live or play close together is a good ace for catching head lice. They like to live on human scalps where they feed, breed and lay their eggs. They feed on human blood and cause the owner to scratch his/her head.
Treatment
Effective lotions are available from any pharmacy. It is important that treatment is carried out in accordance with the instructions. All eggs should be removed from the hair to prevent reinfestation as only 98% of eggs a killed when treated. All members of the family should be treated, even if only one member of the family is found to have head lice or nits.
Brushes, combs, hats, clothing, pillow cases and bedding should be washed thoroughly in warm water and put out to dry in the sun.
Oil and Hair conditioner treatment regimes are also effective to remove lice and eggs. The Child Health clinic or School Nurse can assist with detailed information about these methods.
Please ask us for pamphlets on how to treat head lice.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on Education Department property. Parents and visitors to the school are asked to abide by this regulation. Teachers and other employees of the school are also prohibited from smoking on school premises. Students found smoking on the school site risk immediate suspension from school.
Food and Allergies
EGG and NUT Free School
As we have a number of students who have severe allergies to Nuts and egg, we would ask that parents please do not send in foods to school containing these items, particularly when food is being shared. ie. Birthday cake.
CRUNCH AND SIP
We are a crunch and sip school. Students can bring healthy fruit and vegetable snacks and a drink bottle of water into class to crunch and sip on, throughout the day.
HEALTHY FOOD
Students are encouraged to bring healthy recess and lunch foods – fresh fruits, vegetables and sandwiches. No cool drinks are permitted and processed snacks are discouraged
CANTEEN
Our School P&C will be looking at opening our school canteen at a later date for possibly 2 – 3 days per week. More information will be provided as the year progresses.