Hi, my name is Britt and I look after First Aid at Elsternwick PS. First Aid is available from 8.30am – 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

I attend to ill and injured children, update student medical records (i.e. asthma and anaphylaxis), administer medication when given authorisation from parents/carers and provide advice to families over the phone, via Compass, via email and in the school newsletter.

The first aid room is located in the front office. If students require first aid during recess and lunch they will see a yard duty teacher who will give them a ‘first aid pass’. Teachers on yard duty carry small first aid bags with them.

At EPS all staff update their anaphylaxis, asthma and CPR knowledge yearly with refreshers given every 6 months. We also maintain an appropriate number of first aid trained staff to meet the level of care required for our students.

Important Information

• It is always a good idea to pack a spare set of school clothes in your child’s bag.

• Please don’t include nuts or eggs in your child’s lunch box. This includes Nutella, Peanut Butter & nut bars.

• If your child’s medical condition changes at any time during the year please call the school and inform them of these changes. It is important the school is aware of any medical conditions in case of an emergency.

Medication During School Hours

If your child requires medication during school hours please bring the medication to the front office in the original packaging and fill out the Medical Authorisation Form.

Medication must not be given directly to the child to administer themselves during school hours. This includes throat lozenges.

When Is It Ok To Send My Child To School...

When your child is unwell it can be hard deciding whether to keep them away from school. Not every ailment needs to keep your child from school.

There are also times when it is obvious that your child is too unwell to attend school and sometimes in the rush, we might not give our children enough time to recover.

Common sense goes a long way in preventing illness.

In general your child will normally be OK to attend school if:

· your child has no fever

· can eat and drink normally

· is rested and alert enough to pay attention in class

· has completed any GP recommended isolation

Some Guidelines to Consider

Raised Temperature

If your child has a raised temperature they should not attend school. Generally a fever needs to have subsided for 24 hours before your child can return to school and when there are no other symptoms of concern.

Headache

A mild headache can be caused by feeling upset or suffering from tiredness and your child should be OK to attend school. If there is no improvement on their return home or the headache gets worse, consult your GP.

Vomiting and Diarrhoea

If your child is feeling sick or has a tummy ache and it subsides it is OK to send them to school. If your child has vomited or had diarrhoea keep them absent from school for 24 hours symptom free. If they have no other signs of illness symptoms, most cases pass with rest and re hydration.

If they are suffering from gastroenteritis they may require longer than 24 hours symptom free as they will also be suffering from tiredness, lack of energy and fatigue.

Remember if you are concerned about your child’s health consult your GP.

Teach Your Child The Basics

- Keep your hands clean
- Wash hands before eating, after using the toilet and after blowing your nose
- Cover your mouth by coughing or sneezing into your elbow
- Do not share food
- Keep your hands away from eyes and mouth