Health & Safety
At Highfields we are acutely aware of the trust placed in us by our children and their parents, so commitment to duty of care is paramount and wholehearted. Whether in the classroom, while engaged in outdoor activities including sport and play times or while on excursions, the safety and protection of the children is of the highest priority so they may enjoy their pursuits in an atmosphere of security and their parents’ peace of mind.
Healthy Eating
We teach children about good nutrition at Highfields and families can assist by ensuring healthy foods are packed for morning tea and lunch daily. A water bottle should also be provided. During morning tea and lunch times, children are required to sit until they have finished their refreshments before playing. Crunch&Sip® is a set time for children to ‘refuel’ on vegetables and fruit and ‘rehydrate’ with water. At Highfields class teachers choose a morning time for children to have their Crunch&Sip while a story is read or instructions for an upcoming activity are given. We have found that children who are not hungry and are well hydrated perform better in the classroom, and show increased concentration.
Allergies and Anaphylaxis
In all situations, we aim to minimise the exposure of children at risk of an allergic reaction to known allergens within the school environment. This is of paramount importance as we do have children in the school who have a severe allergy to nuts and eggs. For this reason, we ask that no food products containing eggs or nuts be brought to school. These include boiled eggs, egg sandwiches, meringue, mayonnaise, peanut butter, Nutella, some museli bars and loose nuts.
First aid
If a child should have an accident at school the action taken will depend on the extent of the injury.
In the case of minor injury, a staff member will administer first aid, record the details in the accident register, including the action taken. In the event of more serious injury, any non-invasive obvious action will be taken, an ambulance will be called immediately and parents will be contacted. Please note parents authorise the school to call for an ambulance in the case of emergency on the enrolment form.
Student medication
Parents are contacted if a child should become ill at school. Please ensure your contact details are kept up to date in our office files. If a child is sufficiently well to attend school but requires medication, the medicine should be delivered to the office in its original container bearing the child’s name and required dosage.
Please note the school can only administer medicine prescribed by a doctor and parents are required to sign a form in the office to authorise the administration of the medication.
Children who suffer from asthma or other medical condition requiring management at school must complete a health plan.
No Hat – Play in the Shade
As part of the sun safe policy, children are required to always wear a hat while outside, including play times, sports lessons and outdoor excursions. A ‘No Hat – Play in the Shade’ policy exists ensuring children who do not have their hats with them will play in an area protected from the sun. We also provide and encourage the use of SPF 30+ broad spectrum and water resistant sunscreen to be applied by children in their classroom before outdoor activities commences.
Immunisation
Parents are required to provide a copy of their child’s immunisation certificate prior to enrolment. It is recommended all children be immunised according to the schedule determined by the National Health and Medical Research Council. To find out more about immunisation in schools, a good place to start is the Immunise Australia Program’s website.
Childrenhttp://www.immunise.health.gov.au/ not immunised against the illnesses set out by the Department of Health will be excluded from school if there is an outbreak, unless a doctor’s certificate can verify that a child has already had the illness. If children contract other infectious illnesses (eg. chicken pox, impetigo etc) they will be excluded from school for the period specified by the Department of Health. In some circumstances it will be necessary to obtain a doctor’s certificate to confirm the child is ready to return to school. Please contact the school office or your medical practitioner for information on exclusion periods for specific illnesses including measles, whooping cough, mumps, chicken pox, German measles, head lice, conjunctivitis and impetigo.
The school will notify families if there is any serious communicable illness in the school and will notify the Public Health Unit in the event of a child contracting a vaccine-preventable illness.
Emergency Procedures
The children participate in on-site and off-site emergency evacuation procedures during the course of each year.
In the case of a drill or real life situation, children will:
- Listen carefully to their teacher for instructions.
- Leave all belongings in the classroom.
- As a class group, follow the designated evacuation route from the classroom.
- Move quickly and quietly to the allotted area near the flag pole.
- Respond when their name is called from the roll.
- Follow the specialist teacher’s instructions regarding evacuation and route to the flagpole when attending specialist classes.
In the event of an emergency, procedures can be found posted near the doorways of all rooms. Please make yourself familiar with these procedures and be prepared should an emergency evacuation be required during your presence in the school.
Safety Audits and Security
Regular safety audits are carried out at the school as part of our risk management program. The school grounds are completely fenced and childproof locks are fitted to entry and exit gates. The public do not have access to the school premises.