Every student with asthma attending Newlands Primary School must have a written Asthma Action Plan ideally completed by their treating doctor or pediatrician, in consultation with the student’s Parent/ Carer. This Action Plan should be attached to the student’s records and updated annually or more frequently, if the student’s asthma changes significantly.

If a student is obviously and repeatedly experiencing asthma symptoms and/or using an excessive amount of Reliever medication, the parents/carers will be notified so that appropriate medical consultation can be arranged.

An Individual Anaphylaxis Plan is required for any student who has been diagnosed by a Medical Practitioner as being at risk of anaphylaxis.

The Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will be in place as soon as practicable after the student enrols, and where possible before their first day of school.

Anaphylaxis Management Policy

The Individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will set out the following:

• information about the student’s medical condition that relates to allergy and the potential for anaphylactic reaction, including the type of allergy/allergies the student has (based on a written diagnosis from a Medical Practitioner);
• strategies to minimise the risk of exposure to known and notified allergens while the student is under the care or supervision of School Staff, for in-school and out-of-school settings including in the school yard, at camps and excursions, or at special events conducted, organised or attended by the School;
• the name of the person(s) responsible for implementing the strategies;
• information on where the student’s medication will be stored;
• the student’s emergency contact details;
• an Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy Action plan.

It is the responsibility of the Parents to:

• provide the ASCIA Action Plan;
• inform the school in writing if their child’s medical condition, insofar as it relates to allergy and the potential for anaphylactic reaction, changes and if relevant, provide an updated ASCIA Action Plan;
• provide an up to date photo for the ASCIA Action Plan when that Plan is provided to the school and when it is reviewed; and
• provide the school with an EpiPen that is current and not expired for their child.

Please make sure that the information on the Confidential Student Enrolment Form is kept up to date. Addresses, telephone numbers, work telephone numbers and the address and telephone number of a friend or neighbour must be correct – otherwise your child may be unnecessarily distressed when we need to contact you in an emergency.

It is essential that addresses and phone numbers of parents/carers and contact people are always kept up to date. Notification of changes in a child’s medical, social and emotional condition is important. (See Enrolment Details section for an update form.)

If your child becomes ill or injured at school and requires treatment at home or by a doctor, a parent/carer will be contacted. Telephone contact numbers supplied in your child’s confidential Student Enrolment Form will be used, so we stress the importance of keeping these details up to date. Should an injury be serious, an ambulance will be called to attend.

It is essential that if your child suffers from any serious illness, such as asthma, anaphylaxis or diabetes, that information and/or medication be provided to the school.

An agreed health plan will be developed using this information for the well being of your child.

Remember – infectious diseases spread quickly at school. A SICK CHILD MUST BE KEPT AT HOME. The school has neither the facilities nor the personnel to cope with sickness. A child must be excluded from school if suffering from an infectious disease. Some of the diseases are listed below:

• Chicken Pox 7 days
• Mumps 14 days
• Whooping Cough Medical Certificate
• Hepatitis Medical Certificate
• Scabies Medical Certificate
• German Measles 5 days
• Measles 7 days
• Head Lice Excluded until treatment commences
• Impetigo Until sores have healed

If you are unsure whether a child is to be excluded after contracting, or being in contact with an infectious disease, please contact the school.

Parents/carers must inform the office staff if medication is brought to school.

To assist teachers, parents/carers should supply medication in a container that gives the name of the child, the dose and the time the medication is to be given. The name of the medication should be clearly marked on the container. This is to be handed in at office.

Parents will need to complete a consent form.

The School Nurse Service is authorised to conduct medical examinations with parental/carer permission in the Foundation year. This is usually done by the school nurse who visits the school prior to the examinations to speak to the Foundation children’s parents/carers at an information gathering. Children from other classes are examined on referral by the class teacher and/or parent/carer.