ABSENTEES

Please send a note with your child on the day of attendance following an absence, stating the reason for their absence. For any absence of more than three days we would appreciate a phone call.

The Education Act requires all children between the ages of 6 and 15 to attend school each day unless there is a valid reason for absence. 

ACCIDENTS AND SICKNESS

Parents are requested to keep a child who is unwell at home.

 Whilst the care and protection of your child at school receives appropriate attention, accidents may still occur.

 In the case of an accident or illness, only basic first aid can be administered. Parents will be contacted as soon as possible and advised of the circumstances, usually with the recommendation from the Principal that the child be collected and taken home. If there is a serious accident, an ambulance will be called to transport the child to hospital. Costs associated with the above are borne by the parents concerned. Parents are advised to have some form of ambulance cover as the school does not subscribe to the ambulance scheme.

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

Staff accept responsibility to give medication to students during school hours only when it is absolutely necessary.

Recommended guidelines set by Education Queensland are as follows:-

1.    Oral medication will be given strictly in accordance with instructions supplied by the student’s medical practitioner and must be in writing. Non-prescribed oral medications eg analgesics will not be given.

2.     Where a staff member is to administer long-term medication, the instructions provided should be typed by a pharmacist at the doctor’s direction. The staff member will not accept the instructions solely of a parent. The medication container needs to indicate specific times at which medication is to be administered as well as the quantity of dosage.

3.     At no time will any medication provided for one student be administered to another student.

4.     At all times medication will be kept in a secure place.

5.     All unused medication will be returned to the parents.

6.     Staff members will not give intravenous injections. Other injections may only be given by staff members who have experienced in the procedure and are willing to do so. Such injections should be given only when full written instructions as to administration and possible complications are received from the doctor.

Should your child/children require prolonged medication, advise the Principal in writing stating details of the illness, the medication (as above) and giving permission for the staff member designated by the Principal to administer the medication. If regular medication is required, please complete a “Medical Details” form available from the school office.

IMMUNISATIONS

Information on immunisations against measles, etc can be obtained from the Queensland Health Authority, or any general practitioner.

COMPULSORY EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL (Infection Control, Policy and Procedures for Education Queensland)

 Recommended minimum periods of exclusion from school and preschool for cases of and contact with infectious diseases. A contact means a child of school age living in the same residence as the patient. 

These are the common infectious diseases. For infectious diseases not listed, please contact the school office.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION DRILL

Procedures have been adopted which promote speedy evacuations of the buildings in cases of emergency. Regular practice is given in these procedures. A siren and air horn are used as warnings. All members of the school community are requested to participate in all drills.

 HATS

As stated in General Information booklet, broadbrimmed hats are part of our school uniform. All students wear hats in the playground. This P & C Policy has arisen out of concern for the damage caused by the sun to the skin and also to ensure compliance with Education Queensland’s Sunsafe Policy.

PARKING AND 2 MINUTE PASSENGER LOADING ZONE

Parents are asked NOT to park inside the school grounds. The carpark and circular drive are for staff only. In the event of an emergency we have to be able to get vehicles in and out of this area quickly. The driveway is also used for delivery vehicles to the school tuckshop and Administration. Parents who park in the grounds are endangering the lives of our children. We also ask that children do not use the staff carpark gate for entering or leaving the school grounds.

 The 2 Minute Passenger Loading Zone (Drop Off Zone) on Symons Road is for set down or pick up. For those in a hurry who wish to ‘stop drop & go’ or ‘stop pick-up & go’, the 2 minute zone is for your convenience. Here’s a few notes to consider for proper use of the zone.

·                    Use the zone like a quick moving taxi rank.

·                    Drive slowly to the head of the line.

·                    Move forward as space becomes available.

·                    Load/Unload only at the head of the line.

·                    Driver is to stay in the car unless assisting loading of baggage and passengers.

·                    Do not park for more than 2 minutes during signed hours of operation. If others abuse the     zone, don’t follow their lead.

·                    Do not leave the vehicle. This is an offence during hours of operation.

 In the afternoon:

·                    Delay your arrival until after release time. If you arrive early – do not park in the zone.

·                    Talk to your children about waiting in the designated Shelter near the head of the zone.

·                    Do not stay in the zone if your child has not arrived in the designated waiting area.

·                    Ensure your child is watching out for your arrival (ie not playing handball).

·                    Ensure passengers have secured seatbelts before driving off.

·                    Never call children across the road.

If children cannot be collected by 3.30pm parents are asked to make alternative after school care arrangements.

SCHOOL CROSSINGS

Persons trained by the Department of Transport supervise the pedestrian crossings in Symons Road and Borella Road. These Lollipop supervisors are on duty from 8:00am to 9:00am and 3:00pm to 3:30pm.

 Cars are not to be parked in the NO STANDING zones as this obstructs the view of the supervisor. Full co-operation of both parents and children is requested for the safety of all. A District Supervisor at the beginning of each new school year teaches children in Year One the crossing directions.

BICYCLE SAFETY - COMING TO/GOING FROM SCHOOL

Riding a bicycle on the roadway in conjunction with larger, much faster conveyances such as cars and trucks requires a high degree of skill, knowledge and maturity. Before allowing a child to ride his/her bicycle to school please consider the following carefully:-

1.       The wearing of an approved safety helmet.

2.     The child’s ability to manoeuvre and control his/her bicycle in traffic.

3.     The safest route to take.

Bicycles are not to be ridden in the school grounds. Inside the grounds bikes are to be walked to and from the bicycle racks provided for them. Children are advised to have bike locks.

BUS SERVICES

Brisbane City Council provides transport to and from the school. For bus routes and timetable please contact TransInfo on 13 12 30 or contact the school office.

SCHOOL DENTAL HEALTH SERVICE

Free Dental treatment (examination, extraction, root treatment of baby teeth, fluoride treatment, oral hygiene instruction, x-rays) to all primary and preschool children (from 5 years old), whether they attend school or not, is available providing the application/consent form has been completed by parents.

 When a visit from the Dental van is imminent, you will be contacted about your wishes in this regard. The telephone number is available from the school office if you need to contact the Dental van when it is not at our school.

SMOKING

Smoking is not permitted in any school building or part of the school grounds. This is a Queensland Government policy.