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 throughout the day. Check out the Crunch and Sip website for some great ideas about healthy eating: http://www.crunchandsip.com.au/

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.

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 parents/caregivers 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.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

The Department of Education has established guidelines about the administration of medication to students. All schools are required to comply with these guidelines. The following conditions apply:

• Wherever possible, parents are to come to the school to administer medications themselves or have the child self administer the medication if the child is capable of doing so.
• 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 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.

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. Students with live head lice will be sent home and can return when treatment has been completed. If not properly treated, head lice can become a serious nuisance in the community as they are passed from one person to another. Any place where people live or play close together is a good place 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. 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 and put out to dry in the sun for several hours.
• 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.

SMOKING

Smoking is prohibited on Department of Education 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.

DOGS

It is recommended families do not bring dogs onto the school grounds as they present a health & safety risk to students.