Any child who is sick should not be at school. 

Many illnesses are contagious and we have students who are placed in life-threatening situations when exposed to some common childhood illnesses such as measles and chicken pox.

It is imperative that the school be advised when your child has either measles or chicken pox.

The school is not equipped to administer to the needs of sick children.  No member of staff is medically trained.  Office staff will supervise sick children while parents are contacted to come and take their child home.

Please make sure the school has your correct home and work phone numbers and emergency contact person on file.

There comes a time in the recovery from an illness when a child is no longer contagious and, on the whole, is quite well, although the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor has still to be completed.  As far as possible doses of medicine should be timed to occur at home.  If  this is not possible, administration of medicine can be arranged through your child's class teacher or through the school office.  On each occasion, or series of occasions, it will be necessary for you to complete a specific form, a Deed of Indemnity,  which safeguards the legal rights of staff.  This form is available from the School Office or your child's class teacher. 

No medications will be administered unless a Deed of Indemnity is completed.

Measured doses must be provided to the child's class teacher who will either supervise administration of the medicine or arrange for another member of staff to supervise it.  Children may be old enough to administer their own medicine, but no matter what age, this should be done with the knowledge of the child's class teacher.  Only prescribed medicines will be administered.  Teachers have been directed by the Department of Education and Training  not to administer patent medicines such as cough mixtures, aspirins, etc.  Under no circumstances are staff permitted to administer analgesics.

In cases of chronic illness, such as asthma, epilepsy or diabetes, or severe allergic reactions, parents should complete a general Deed of Indemnity form, and provide a statement of emergency treatment to be kept on file at the school.   

In the case of an asthma emergency, treatment prescribed by the Western Sydney Health Service will be followed.  This involved the administration of four puffs of ventolin every four minutes.  If there is no improvement after four minutes an ambulance will be called.

If you know your child is a chronic sufferer, it is most important that school staff know what to do if your child needs emergency treatment.

Under the NSW Public Health Act, children starting school must present an Immunisation Certificate at the time of enrolment or stay at home during an outbreak of an infectious disease.  Your child does not have to be immunised but if an infectious disease is notified to the school, children who are not immunised will be required to stay at home for their own protection and the protection of their family and friends. 

If your child has any of the following common infectious diseases then he or she is excluded from school as stated in the table.  Please do not send your child to school when symptoms of these illnesses are present.  It can cause embarrassment when parents have to be phoned to collect a child who has been sent to school when he or she is obviously ill or appears to have one of the following:

INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Chicken Pox - Excluded from school for 7 days after the first spots appear.  Contacts not excluded

Measles - MEASLES IS A SERIOUS DISEASE.  Excluded from school for at least 4 days from appearance of the rash. Unimmunised contacts are excluded for 14 days from exposure.  If immunised within 72 hours after exposure, return to school can be immediate.

Mumps - Excluded for 9 days from onset of swelling.  Contacts not excluded.     

Rubella (German Measles) - Excluded for at least 4 days from appearance of rash. Contacts not excluded.

Diphtheria - Excluded until doctor provides a certificate of recovery.  Contacts excluded until cleared by a doctor.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - Excluded for 14 days or 5 days of a 14 day course of antibiotics.  Contacts not excluded.

Acute Conjunctivitis - Excluded from school until all discharge has ceased. Contacts not excluded.

Acute Tonsillitis - Excluded from school until all symptoms have cleared up.  Contacts not excluded.

Impetigo (Scabby Sores)  - If sores cannot be covered and are on exposed surfaces such as scalp, hands or  legs, exclusion is necessary until fully healed.  Contacts not excluded.

Pediculosis (Head Lice) - Nits look like tiny white specks stuck to the hair.  Students excluded until totally cleared with neither lice nor nits present.  Head lice are common in schools and extremely contagious.  Hair will need to be washed with a preparation available from chemists, and combed with a fine-tooth comb.  It is also necessary to wash pillow cases, sheets, towels to prevent re-infection.  Contacts not excluded.  Family members may need to be treated at the same time.

Ringworm - Excluded until treatment has begun.  A  medical certificate is required.  Contacts can attend school though will need regular inspection.