Student Health
Medical Information
It is an ACT Government regulation that all children attending schools in the ACT be immunised. The school is obliged to formally collect from parents, duly completed forms that verify immunisation. Where parents object to immunisation, a formal letter indicating this objection must be provided. In such cases, the ACT Health Department will be notified about your child's lack of immunisation. In the event of a contagious illness being reported at school, children without the appropriate vaccinations will be excluded from school. We strongly urge all families to fully immunise their school age children.
Immunisations
Students in Year 6 have the opportunity to receive their Hepatitis B and Meningococcal Immunisation. ACT Community Care provides this service.
Medical service
The School Medical Service visits the school each year. Only Kindergarten will receive a thorough medical screening. Other children will be seen on request. After consultation with parents any child with a specific need is referred to appropriate specialist services.
Accidents and Illness
Every care is taken to make sure that children are attended to in the event of an accident. Minor accidents, cuts and bruises are treated by staff who are first aid trained. Any bumps to the head are treated and the parents are contacted. Parents are also contacted where the injury is considered to be of a more serious nature. In the event that a serious accident occurs, parents are immediately contacted and, if necessary, medical attention is sought. The school will, in extreme circumstances, ring directly for an ambulance whether the parents can be contacted or not. Parents should note: it is Ambulance Service policy to provide free transportation for any accident occurring on the school grounds or on a school excursion within the ACT. Any child who becomes ill at school is taken to the sick room and parents or emergency contacts will be called. This highlights the importance of having Information Cards up to date.
Accident Insurance
The Catholic Churches Insurances is now providing students' personal accident and disability cover for all primary school children. This will cover medical expenses up to $5,000 (provided no Medicare benefit is payable for the service or treatment), emergency transport up to $1,000, home tuition if the child is unable to attend school for more than 5 days, up to $1,000, school fee relief in the event of the accidental death of the person who pays the child's school fees, and monetary amounts for death and certain bodily injuries.
School Dental Service
A dental service is available through the School Dental Program of the ACT Health Department. You can access this Dental Service by ringing the Tuggeranong Dental Clinic on 6205 2768 for appointments. A membership fee is payable for this service, and appointments are necessary.
Anaphylaxis
The school aims to work with parents with the management of those children who have a severe form of allergic reaction to certain triggers, which is life threatening if not treated immediately.
The school understands that it must take reasonable steps to promote the health of students at risk of severe allergic reactions including arranging emergency care when it is needed.
The school can help by assisting the student in the avoidance of allergens and ensuring that an emergency response plan is in place for all activities. The early recognition of the signs and symptoms may save lives by allowing the earlier administration of first aid and contact of the appropriate emergency services. Planning to assist staff to deal with unexpected situations forms part of the school's and parents of children who have severe allergic reactions responsibility.
In an emergency, all staff have a duty of care. Staff are to exercise common sense which dictates that in an emergency, while they should not act beyond their capabilities and qualifications, they are expected to do what they can to take appropriate action.
Nuts have been identified by as a major trigger for an allergic reaction by students in our St Anthony's community. Your support in refraining from sending peanut butter and nut products to school in lunches and snacks is sought. The staff will talk to the children and it is most important that you also impress upon your child the importance of following this request. All children need to be aware that they must only eat from their own lunchbox.
Counsellor
Centacare and the Catholic Education Office provide the school with a Counsellor one day a week. The Counsellor will be available to parents, pupils and teachers who seek advice or help for the emotional, social and educational well being of pupils. Parents may request an interview with the Counsellor, whilst teachers may at times refer pupils to the Counsellor with parent permission. As a general rule, all parents are contacted before their child sees the Counsellor. This service is a positive aspect of the school community. Before contact with the Counsellor can be arranged, parents are requested to contact the office for a referral to be returned to the Principal.
Exclusion Table
Many common early childhood illnesses require a period of exclusion from school events. The Department of Health has produced a guide to the time which the child should be away from school should an illness occur.
Find out more . . .St Anthony's Parish School,
Wheeler Crescent, Wanniassa ACT 2903
Phone: +61 2 6231 4022 Fax: +61 2 6231 4420
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URL: http://www.stanthonys.cg.catholic.edu.au