Issue3

Fortnight ending March 7th, 2014

LOOKING AHEAD

MARCH Friday 7

th PUPIL FREE DAY

Monday 10th

LABOUR DAY

Tuesday 11th

BIKE ED BEGINS – Grade 5

Monday 17th

BikeEd Road test Grade 5

Tuesday 18th

Healesville Excursion Grade 3and 4

Wednesday 19th

-28th LIFE ED

RIDE TO SCHOOL DAY

BIKE ED NORTON PARK – GRADE 5 Sunday 23

rd FAMILY FUN DAY 2PM-5PM

FRIDAY 28TH

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Dear Parents,

THE WALL HAS COME DOWN Many of you will have noticed that a fence is now in place surrounding the area in which

the Mod 5 building will be placed on Friday 7th

March. The rebound wall and some trees

have been removed to make way for our new Grade Two learning centre. When you

return from your long weekend you will notice the building in place in readiness for

refurbishment in and out so that students in 2C and 2D students can settle into their new

learning facility at the commencement of Term Two.

EVERY DAY COUNTS – SCHOOL ATTENDANCE We all want our students to get a great education, and the building

blocks for a great education begin with students coming to school

each and every day.

Missing school can have a major impact on a child’s future – a student

missing one day a fortnight will miss four full weeks by the end of the

year. By Year 10 they’ll have missed more than a year of school.

There is no safe number of days for missing school – each day a

student misses puts them behind, and can affect their educational

outcomes.

Coming to school every day is vital, but if for any reason your child must miss school, there are things we

can do together to ensure they don’t fall behind:

Speak with your classroom teacher and find out what work your child needs to do to keep up.

Develop an absence learning plan with your teacher and ensure your child completes the plan.

Remember, every day counts. If your child must miss school, speak with your classroom teacher early as

early as possible.

From 1 March 2014, new laws will mean that parents can be fined for not sending students to school

without an acceptable reason.

If you’re having attendance issues with your child, please let your classroom teacher know so we can

work together to get your child to school every day.

FRIDAY 7TH

MARCH: PUPIL FREE DAY Teachers will be looking at the 2013 Parent Opinion Data to determine our the perceptions of our sample

of parents; what do we as a school do well, in what areas can we improve and recommendations and

strategies discussed that may help with the improvements.

Teachers will also spend considerable time analyzing the NAPLAN data for 2013 and the developing

trends in performance to highlight again the areas in which our students perform well, areas that need to

improve and what we as a school and a team of teachers need to do to address the education of our

students. We look forward to a constructive and productive day.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE/AMBULANCE COVER ARRANGEMENTS AND

PRIVATE PROPERTY BROUGHT TO SCHOOL Parents are reminded that the Department does not provide personal accident

insurance or ambulance cover for students. Parents and guardians of students,

who do not have student accident insurance/ambulance cover, are responsible for

paying the cost of medical treatment for injured students, including the cost of

ambulance attendance / transport and any other transport costs.

Student accident insurance/ambulance cover policies are available from some

commercial insurers (one is attached to this newsletter for those of you interested or you may find a

suitable personal accident insurer in the Yellow Pages or online).

Personal property is often brought to school by students, staff and visitors. This can include mobile

phones, calculators, toys, sporting equipment and cars parked on school premises. As the Department

does not hold insurance for personal property brought to schools and has no capacity to pay for any loss

or damage to such property students, staff and visitors should be discouraged from bringing any

unnecessary or particularly valuable items to school.

SCHOOL COUNCIL / ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – AGM

We will be holding our School Council’s Annual General Meeting on Monday 24th

March, at 7.00pm. At

this meeting reports will be presented by the President, Treasurer and School Principal. All members of

our school community are welcome to attend. Please inform the school if you wish to attend so that we

can cater accordingly. After the AGM we will hold our first new School Council for the year 2014.

BIKE EDUCATION/ROAD SAFETY On Tuesday 11

th March our grade five students will commence Bike

Education. They will experience various lessons focusing on skill

development and road safety. When they have completed the program and

passed a gruelling road test (Monday 17th

March) they will be treated with a

bike ride to Norton’s Park on Wednesday 19th March to reinforce their

newly acquired skills, increase their riding experience and to enjoy a

barbecue picnic.

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The Parents’ Association will hold its AGM on Thursday 13th

March commencing 2.30pm in the

staffroom. All parents from our school community are welcome. At this meeting reports will be

provided by the President and Treasurer and then positions will be declared vacant and nominations

sought for a President, Secretary and Treasurer to lead the Parents’ Association for 2014. Please attend

and support this important committee; parents should be a positive support to the school and this

association should be made of approachable, friendly and cooperative parents who delight in supporting

the school with community bonding activities, services for our students and fundraising. Looking

forward to meeting you there!

2014 JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

Congratulations to the students listed below who have been elected Junior School Reps for their

respective classrooms. These students will be presented with their badges and sign their ‘contracts of

responsibility’ at Thursday’s assembly. These students will represent their peers by being a ‘voice’ at

regular meetings promoting a positive school in which productive learning and playing can take place.

1A Niamh

1B Maggie

1C Wil

1D Bridgitte

2A Matthew

2B Ashley

2C Heather

2D Ju Rin

3A Sarah

3B Madeline

3C Ella

4A Abby

4B Zack

4C Lili

5A Zara

5B Clinton

6A Katie

6B Charli

ANAPHYLAXIS AND SEVERE ALLERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY

The Education sub-committee has recommended that the above policy be accepted as School Policy to

our School Council. Please read the policy and familiarise yourself with the contents; if you have any

concerns or feedback please let me know. If the consensus is one of agreement the policy will be ratified

at the next School Council meeting.

REMINDERS

Labour Day - Monday 10th

March: enjoy the long weekend and see you back on Tuesday 11th

March.

End of Term One: Our students will be dismissed from school on Friday 4th

March at 2.30pm after the

Easter Raffle and a farewell to Term One assembly at the front of the school.

Kind regards,

Kitty Allard.

Principal.

A Whopping Big Thank You for coming to the

Whopper-Dopper Whole School Working Bee! Thank you big time to all the mums, dads and kids who came and helped at our hugely successful working bee last

Saturday! We achieved so much and the school grounds are looking terrific! The children are really enjoying the

sandpits and the playground is freshly topped up with soft-fall mulch.

Thanks to Mark Granland and Andrew Martin for their dedication to our Facilities and Ground team over the past

several years. Mark and Andrew’s children have moved on to secondary college, so this was probably their final

appearance at HEPS working bees. Thanks to Andrew for fixing our walkway next to the prep building and for

making a new gate to under the school. Thanks to Mark for the boundless energy and countless number of times

you have been at school doing the odd job, helping Tony or consulting with Kitty and I about our school facilities.

You have both made a huge difference to our school and we will miss you guys. We hope we will see you around

in the future!

Thanks to the following people who made this working bee such a great community event-

Kathryn Moss, Alan Baxter, Luke and Callum, Rosalie Baker, William and Michael West, Allison Kett and the

Grills family, Michael Nestic, Ben and Melissa, Emma and Brendan Jones, Stuart, Trudy, Alanah, Lauren and

Emma Brewster, Linda Qi and Jovanna Sun, Olga and Chelsea Varcoe,

Stephen Sykes and Janine Carrington, Rhonda Farquharson, Ben and Abbey Triplow, Michael and Eliza Rankin,

Tracey Tauber, Jasmine and Rhonda Boss, Helen Philips, Ebony and Georgia Philips, Jianzeng Geng and Betty

Geng Hao, Nicole, Nigel, Samuel, Karen and Heather Zeinert, Shane and Ruby Fox, Shane and Eliie Blaxland,

Andrew, Riley and Summer Doyle, John, max, lisa and Sabine Uren, Glenn Arbuckle, and Daniel and Nathan,

Becky, Olivia and Daniel Hayes, Noah, Wes and Tahlia Horns, Mike and Adam Slater, James and Lily Aberton,

Scott and Tristan Wainwright, and Tom and Indy Spencer, Darren, Julie and Ally Cooper, James and William

Paterson, David, Jack and Ollie McCarron, Brett and Jamie Smith, JiaQi and Michael Sun, Wayne Smith, Justin

Staggard, Dean Chamberlain, Darren, Alison and Thomas Fairbank, Ben and Ollie Taylor, Jane and Charlie

Draper, Robert and Emma Medin-Dodd, Mark Jackman, Tony, Mia and Wil Stekelenburg.

Also, a very big welcome aboard to the Facilities and Grounds Committee, 2014 to:

Brett Smith, Scott Wainwright, Adam Liddell, Nigel Zeinert, and Justin Staggard, and to our long-standing crew,

Wayne Smith and Darren Fairbank.

We are very excited to be receiving our new portable this week and it will be even more exciting when we find out

more about the soon to be redesigned playground! Stay tuned!

All the best and have a great weekend!

Christine Finighan

Assistant Principal

Convenor, Facilities and Grounds :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

What a great caring school is HEPS!!!

Thank you to the group of Grade 6 boys (who have been “Rainbow Group Mentors “ to 6 Prep/Grade 1 boys , last year) and have decided they would like to continue their role as Mentors to these children for 2014. Their goals for 2014: 1. remembering their buddy’s birthday 2. playing with their buddy once a week 3. having a chat with them when they see them around the school 4. organizing a get together with themselves and Libby once a term. 5. accepting them as they are 6. meeting every 2 to 3 weeks to see if they are reaching their goals to look after their

buddies well. What fabulous role models these Grade 6 boys are becoming! It encourages us all to do the same!! Thankyou Grade 6 boys!! Libby Chaplain

CANTEEN ROSTER

Canteen Manager Vicki Allan Disclaimer: Heathmont East Primary School does not necessarily endorse the products in this newsletter and parents are at liberty to make their own choices.

Friday March 7th

Sue Tilbrook

Cathy Davidson

Monday March 10th

LABOUR DAY

Wednesday March 12th

Gillian Szegi

Friday March 14th

Justine Olsen

Christy Norris

Monday March 17th

Nikki Arbuckle

Wednesday March 19th

Liz Perry

Friday March 21st Merryn Brien

Tracey Lawrence

Monday March 24th

Sally Fathers

Wednesday March 26th

HELP NEEDED

Friday March 28th

Nicky Marran

Emma Fullarton

Monday March 31st Kerryn Hughes

Wednesday April 2nd

Michelle Chamberlain

Friday April 4th

Sue Tilbrook

Averil Summers

For your convenience we would like to remind you that payments for excursions, swimming and other school activities can be made directly via the school’s bank account. ACCOUNT NAME: Heathmont East Primary School Official Account BSB: 063 – 191 ACCOUNT NO: 1003 9330 Please ensure the family name and excursion details are noted on the payment.

Join our School Rewards

Program and every time a

student, family or staff

member purchases a pair of

shoes from the Athlete’s foot

stores, $5.00 goes back to our

school in the form of sports

uniforms and equipment.

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED

SUPPORT.

When you purchase goods at

Bayswater Good Guys please ask

the Good Guys in Bayswater for a

reward voucher so that HEPS can

redeem Bayswater Bucks. Please

forward to the school office. Thank

you.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK

ETHAN Prep A

For trying new things that may have been difficult

and persisting to complete the task. Great effort

Ethan.

JOSH 1B

For working really hard this week to complete all

this work to an excellent standard. You are a

STAR!

RILEY 2A

For being an all round super star in the classroom.

Your work is so neat and lovely. Keep it up

darling!

NATALIE 4A

For being an excellent role model in class this

week. You are such a responsible and positive

student. Well done beautiful.

JOEL 4C

For a fantastic writing piece about the winter

Olympics. You described the sport of snow-

boarding in a lot of detail and used persuasive

words. Great job!

CHLOE 5B

For always displaying her bright smile and

enthusiasm in all school activities. What a super

star you are Chloe!

TEAGAN 2C

For being such an interested and enthusiastic

gardener when in the kitchen garden. Great

listening and wonderful digging. Thank you

Teagan.

HEATHER 2C

For such an interested and positive attitude in the

classroom. You always try hard and listen well.

Great effort Heather.

AMELIA PREP D

For being a most polite, helpful and friendly class

member in Prep D.

GRIFFIN PREP D

For caring for another child and playing with them

at playtime. Keep up the great attitude.

BRIDGETTE 1D

For setting a fantastic example in 1D, you work

extremely hard on every task. You always look to

help others when you can and you are a great 5 star

listener. KEEP IT UP!

NIAMH 1A

For giving our class a wind chime. Thank you

Niamh.

AIDEN PREP B

Being such a terrific class member. You have been

so helpful to your friends during learning time.

HAYLEY PREP B

For having a go and trying so hard to sound out the

words you want to write.

LILY PREP C

For always working hard with a beautiful smile.

Keep up this amazing effort!

RHIANNE PREP C

For thinking carefully about our sound of the week

and bringing in interesting things to share with the

class!

OLIE 1C

For being such a great helper in the classroom by

taking down the chairs in the mornings.

AMBRIELLE PREP A

Writing her name so beautifully, even though she

has the longest name in our grade. Great effort

Ambrielle.

MIRANDA PREP A

An excellent effort at writing her own sentence

about going to the zoo, all by herself. Great work

Miaranda.

KYLE 5B

For always sharing ideas and answers with

confidence. You are a mega-mind Kyle!

CHARLIE 3B

For working diligently during literacy groups this

week. You’re a champion!

ZANE 3C

For being such a great class member and making us

all laugh!

ETHAN 2B

An excellent attitude displayed in every aspect of

school. Your efforts are amazing and it’s great to

see such a happy young man.

BLAKE 1A

For great handwriting and for being an all round

great bloke to everyone!

EMILY 4C

For working with determination during literacy

groups. You answered your comprehension task

with great full sentences and lots of detail.

PHOEBE 2A

For always having a great attitude towards all

learning areas and being a thoughtful friend to your

peers. Well done darling!

LUKE 4A

For all your hard work and focus when writing your

information report this week. Your writing is

becoming much neater. Keep it up.

RILEY 1B

For helping out around the classroom without being

asked. What a fantastic role model.

ABBEY PREP D

For working so well in class and for being brave

with the stitches above her eye.

THOMAS PREP D

For really trying hard to sound out each word in his

free writing sentence.

JAIME 2C

For sharing your take home book confidently with

a friend and being an attentive and interested

listener.

JOEL 2C

For great concentration and clever thinking in

maths this week. Keep up the super effort Joel.

KELLAN 2D

For showing great persistence when making

marshmallow towers. You’re a star!

TOBIAS 1D

For always working your best!!! You are such an

amazing artist keep up the amazing work!

HANNAH 4B

The amazing way you present your work. It is

always beautiful and creative.

WILLIAM 4B

Your amazing determination to improve your

learning. Keep up the brilliant effort.

1C

Japanese Class of the Week. ALICE PREP B

For your fantastic perseverance when you were

ordering teddies. You worked so hard to place the

numbers in the correct order.

AMELIA PREP B

For your terrific explanations and kindness when

you were helping in the teddy ordering activity.

SUMMER 3B

For excellent reading comprehension skills this

week. You’ve worked hard superstar!

DAN 4A

For your fantastic effort in all maths activities this

week. Your hard work and determination during

the times table challenge was impressive. Well

done!

HARRY PREP A

Excellent listening and for sharing his ideas so well

during group learning times. Well done Harry!

ELIZA PREP A

For bringing a big bag of beautiful B things to

share. Thank you Eliza.

LINKIN PREP C

For always displaying your beautiful manners to

your teachers and friends. You are amazing!

RUBY PREP C

For persisting to do some amazing writing even

though it was tricky! Well done!

REBEKKAH 2B

For being a completely wonderful student. You

strive and work beautifully in all areas.

KIARA 3C

For being resilient through a pretty rough week. I

love how you keep smiling.

MALIKI 1A

For being entertaining during show and tell! You

are such a legend and so funny!

2D

Japanese Class of the Week LEAH 2A

For always striving to do her best with any given

activity. Amazing efforts darling!

EVIE 1B

For listening carefully and doing your best. You

are a star!

HAMMAH 2D

For being a great role model with the classroom.

Keep being a super star.

LUKAS 1D

For great work in literacy groups this week, when

you continually concentrate you produce great

work. Awesome stuff legend.

ERYN PRE D

For writing out her own lunch order last week!

You’re amazing!

REUBEN PREP D

For a fantastic effort during numeracy testing.

Great number knowledge!

ETHAN 4B

For your improved efforts in the classroom this

week. Keep up the great work.

Ride to School Day 2014

Wednesday 19th March Heathmont East Primary School’s Ride2School day is just around the corner! Preparations are well under way and to celebrate riding, walking, skating and scooting as fun ways to travel to school. We are organising the following activities:

A guest speaker from Bicycle Victoria to present information about Ride2School Day at Assembly on Friday 14th March

Ride2School stickers for all participants

A lucky draw ticket for every student who rides with prizes donated by local bicycle stores: Cycling Express Bayswater, Cycle Science Mitcham, Bicycle Superstore Nunawading.

Additional bike parking zones around the school A few reminders for the day include:

All students on wheels are required to wear helmets (this includes skaters and scooters).

Students should park in designated bike parking areas closest to their classrooms.

It was a nervous but excited group of seven HEPS students that arrived at Nunawading

Pool for the Division Swimming Championships. While finding enough seats was probably

the hardest task of the day, HEPS was really competing against schools from Maroondah

and Manningham, with the first two team

of swimmers in each race progressing to

the next round. The first event was the

9/10 year old mixed freestyle relay.

Serpell PS got away very quickly but all

the other teams were quite even.

Throughout the four laps our team and

Antonio Park closed the gap but with 5m

to go HEPS was in third place. Three

swimmers touched the wall almost at the

same time and we had finished .... ? No-one was really sure. After some discussion amongst

the judges, our swimmer emerged with the red ribbon. Jasmine, Jack, Ella and Cade were

off to Regionals! Thankfully, the rest of the day was not so nerve-wracking. Cade swam

powerfully and finished first in both the freestyle and backstroke while our young Open

mixed medley team (Erin, Kyle, Tarni and Cade) put in a great performance to finish a clear

second.

Congratulations to all the swimmers on both their efforts and their support of one another

at a big event.

In the Kitchen Garden. This week grade 2C ventured into our kitchen garden to harvest some fresh vegetables. We enjoyed an exciting and educational time in our Food Technology Unit cooking a delicious snack and side dish using the fresh organic ingredients. Using measurement and observation, to make and cook the Zucchini Fritters, then entering their experience in their own Kitchen Garden Journal. The following is our recipe and some photos of us enjoying ourselves in learning. Zucchini Fritters

Ingredients 1 cup self-raising flour

1 egg

2/3 cup milk

1 cup grated zucchini

Method 1. Sift flour into bowl

2. Break egg into small bowl

3. Add milk to egg & stir

4. Grate zucchini carefully & measure

5. Add milk & egg mixture into a well in the Flour, and gradually mix in the flour

6. Add zucchini & mix together

7. Add a little oil to hot pan & cook table-spoonful of mixture at a time. Turning to cook both sides.

8. Place onto plate when golden brown

FIRST TIME IS FREE!

Embroidery / Screen Printing Volunteer Needed

If anyone is willing to embroider / screen print two vests with “HEPS HARRIERS”,

please see Kate Ruck or email: dunlop.kate.e@edumail.vic.gov.au

Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks, Kate

HEATHMONT EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL

STATEMENT OF VALUES PROMOTING HEALTHY, SAFE AND RESPECTFUL SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

Heathmont East Primary School recognises the importance of the partnership between schools and parents to

support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, ensuring

inclusive, safe and orderly environments for children and young people.

This Statement of Values sets out our behavioural expectations of all members in this school community, including

the principal, all school staff, parents, students and visitors. It respects the diversity of individuals in our school

community and addresses the shared responsibilities of all members in building safe and respectful school

communities.

Discrimination, sexual and other forms of harassment, bullying, violence, aggression and threatening behaviour are

unacceptable and will not be tolerated in this school.

Our Statement of Values acknowledges that parents and school staff are strongly motivated to do their best for

every child. Everyone has the right to differing opinions and views and to raise concerns, as long as we do this

respectfully as a community working together.

RESPONSIBILITIES

AS PRINCIPALS AND SCHOOL LEADERS, WE WILL:

Work collaboratively to create a school environment where respectful and safe conduct is expected of

everyone.

Behave in a manner consistent with the standards of our profession and meet core responsibilities to provide

inclusive, safe and orderly environments.

Plan, implement and monitor arrangements to ensure the care, safety, security and general wellbeing of all

students in attendance at the school is protected.

Identify and support students who are or may be at risk.

Do our best to ensure every child achieves their personal and learning potential.

Work with parents to understand their child’s needs and, where necessary, adapt the learning environment

accordingly.

Respond appropriately when inclusive, safe or orderly behaviour is not demonstrated and implement

appropriate interventions and sanctions when required.

Make known to parents the school’s communication and complaints procedures.

Ask any person who is acting in an offensive or disorderly way to leave the school grounds.

AS TEACHERS AND ALL NON-TEACHING STAFF, WE WILL:

Model positive behaviour to students consistent with the standards of our profession.

Proactively engage with parents about student outcomes.

Work with parents to understand the needs of each student and, where necessary, adapt the learning

environment accordingly.

Work collaboratively with parents to improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for students with additional

needs.

Communicate with the principal and school leaders in the event we anticipate or face any tension or

challenging behaviours from parents.

Treat all members of the school community with respect. AS PARENTS, WE WILL:

Model positive behaviour to our child.

Ensure our child attends school on time, every day the school is open for instruction.

Take an interest in our child’s school and learning.

Work with the school to achieve the best outcomes for our child.

Communicate constructively with the school and use expected processes and protocols when raising concerns.

Support school staff to maintain a safe learning environment for all students.

Follow the school’s complaints processes if there are complaints.

Treat all school leaders, staff, students, and other members of the school community with respect.

AS STUDENTS, WE WILL:

Model positive behaviour to other students.

Comply with and model school values.

Behave in a safe and responsible manner.

Respect ourselves, other members of the school community and the school environment.

Actively participate in school.

Not disrupt the learning of others and make the most of our educational opportunities.

AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE WILL:

Model positive behaviour to the school community.

Treat other members of the school community with respect.

Support school staff to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for all students.

Utilise the school’s communications policy to communicate with the school. THE DEPARMENT OF EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT WILL:

Provide support and advice to principals to equip them to manage and respond to challenging behaviour of

students, parents and staff.

Provide practical guidance and resources to support schools to manage and respond to challenging behaviour of

students, parents and staff.

Provide practical guidance and resources to support schools respond to and prevent bullying and promote

cyber-safety and wellbeing.

Provide access to evidence based resources and strategies to increase student safety, wellbeing and

engagement.

Provide schools with practical and legal support as required.

Provide parents with practical guidance and resources to resolve conflicts with the school. CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO UPHOLD THE STATEMENT OF VALUES

UNREASONABLE BEHAVIOURS

Behaviours that are considered inappropriate on and adjacent to school grounds or in relation to school business

and that do not uphold the principles of this Statement of Values include when a person:

is rude, aggressive or harasses others

sends rude, confronting or threatening letters, emails or text messages

is manipulative or threatening

speaks in an aggressive tone, either in person or over the telephone

makes sexist, racist or derogatory comments

inappropriately uses social media as a forum to raise concerns/make complaints against the school

is physically intimidating, e.g. standing very close.

CONSEQUENCES

Principals are responsible for determining what constitutes reasonable and unreasonable behaviour.

Unreasonable behaviour and/or failure to uphold the principles of this Statement of Values may lead to further

investigation and the implementation of appropriate consequences. This may include:

utilising mediation and counselling services

alternative communication strategies being applied

formal notice preventing entry onto school premises or attendance at school activities. Written notice will

follow any verbal notice given.

an intervention order being sought

informing the police which may result in a charge of trespass or assault

By agreeing to meet specified standards of positive behaviour, everyone in our school community can be assured

that they will be treated with fairness and respect. In turn, this will help to create a school that is

safe and orderly, where everyone is empowered to participate and learn.

HEATHMONT EAST PRIMARY SCHOOL

ANAPHYLAXIS AND SEVERE ALLERGY MANAGEMENT POLICY

1. RATIONALE Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive multi-system allergic reaction that is potentially life

threatening. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g.

cashews), cow’s milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame, latex, certain insect stings and

medication.

The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of those students who have been

diagnosed at risk, awareness of triggers (allergens), and prevention of exposure to these triggers.

Partnerships between schools and parents are important in ensuring that certain foods or items are

kept away from the student while at school.

Adrenaline given through an auto injector to the muscle of the outer mid-thigh is the most

effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.

2. GUIDELINES

2.1 All staff have a duty of care in relation to anaphylaxis management.

2.2 To ensure that staff are provided with adequate training in recognising anaphylactic

symptoms and administering an auto injector.

3. IMPLEMENTATION

3.1 Parents/Guardians are required to complete a new action plan for every child annually and

the school will maintain current pupil emergency information with up-to-date contact

telephone numbers. This is to be signed by a GP.

3.2 It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to supply the school with an appropriate

auto injector and to replace it before expiry or as the need arises. If an appropriate auto

injector is not supplied, the student may be removed from some learning activities.

3.3 With parental permission, a photo of children and a description of the appropriate

treatment will be displayed in the staff room and updated regularly.

3.4 Auto Injectors will be clearly identified with the student’s name, with each student’s auto

injector distinguishable from other students’ auto injectors and medications.

3.5 A copy of the student’s ASCIA Action Plan should be kept with the auto injector.

3.6 All staff will know where the auto injector is located.

3.7 Auto injectors will be taken for camps or excursions.

3.8 Use of the auto injector and follow up treatment by staff will be inline with training as

administered by the registered provider.

3.9 In all cases parents and an ambulance will be called to provide additional treatment and or

observation.

3.10 A spare auto injector will be kept in the sick bay and updated as required.

4. EVALUATION

Evaluation will be in line with the school’s cyclical review process and whenever the need

arises.