Your child will thrive at school if they feel happy, confident and secure. Tasmanian government schools provide a range of services and programs to support the health and wellbeing of your child.
Below is a summary of services. For more detailed information see Student health care, safety and wellbeing.
Over 100 Tasmanian government schools are now participating in the Move Well Eat Well Program.
Move Well Eat Well works to create a school environment that promotes healthy eating and physical activity. It provides primary schools with a simple guide, resources and recognition for promoting these messages:
Parents and carers play an important role in reinforcing the Move Well Eat Well messages at home.
For more information and good ideas, visit the Move Well Eat Well website and look for the “For families”section.
Healthy eating is encouraged in all Tasmanian Government schools.
School canteens operate under departmental policies and regulations that promote nutrition and safe food preparation.
Many schools are participating in the Cool Canteen Accreditation Program which offers a model of best practice for canteens and the provision of guidelines and procedures for high quality and safe food service for school students and staff.
For information on your school’s canteen operating hours, ordering arrangements and menu, contact your child’s school.
If you or your child are members of a non-profit community, sporting or recreational group, and are in need of a good quality gym, sports ground or meeting place, why not consider using the first-class facilities at your local school?
Facilities for hire include gyms, swimming pools, sports ovals, playgrounds, meeting rooms, kitchens and auditoriums.
All community and non-profit groups are covered for third party insurance under a State Government public liability initiative, and it’s a fantastic way of getting active and involved in your local community!
For information about the range of school facilities for use in your area, see Community Use of School Facilities.
If your child has an allergy and/or asthma, you should discuss your child’s condition with their classroom teacher.
If your child has a severe allergic reaction and is at risk of anaphylaxis you should notify the school at enrolment or as soon as a diagnosis is made.
Every student who is known to be at risk of anaphylaxis should have an Anaphylaxis Action Plan completed by their medical practitioner before the student starts school or as soon as the condition is diagnosed. An individual Anaphylaxis Management Plan will then be developed by the school in consultation with parents and health professionals who will provide professional learning and management support. This will include EpiPen or AnaPen training as required. The Anaphylaxis Action Plan and the Anaphylaxis Management Plan will then be held and displayed at the school as appropriate.
The Asthma Foundation of Tasmania works in close collaboration with schools to develop asthma active and anaphylaxis active schools.
Medication should be prescribed for administration during school hours only when absolutely necessary.
If your child requires medication to be administered whilst they are at school, you must meet with your child’s teacher and/or principal to ensure that the responsibilities of school staff are clearly outlined.
You must also arrange for:
Students requiring asthma medication may be responsible for their own asthma inhaler with written permission from a parent/ legal guardian, and with the approval of the school principal.
An official register for the administration of medication to students will be maintained by your school.
Immunisation provides effective protection against disease. It is in the best interests of your child and of other children to complete the recommended National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Childhood vaccines included on the current schedule are provided free of charge to children of eligible ages.
When you fill out your child’s school enrolment form, you’ll be asked whether your child has received particular vaccinations and to provide evidence of your child’s vaccination status. This is usually in the form of your child’s health record book or a letter from a doctor or council on letterhead.
The Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) keeps a record of immunisation given to children under the age of 7 years. Statements of your child’s immunisation history can be requested from ACIR by phoning 1800 653 809 or visiting www.medicareaustralia.gov.au
If proof is not available, a statutory declaration form can be obtained from your school or from the Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmania.
For more information on immunisation, contact:
For further information see Immunisation Requirements.
If your child suffers from an illness that is infectious, contagious or harmful to others at the school, you may be asked to keep your child at home.
Information on the types of illness and the period of non-attendance required is available from your school. You should tell the school if your child has one of the listed diseases so that the absence can be recorded and the health of other children monitored.
As parents, you have the prime responsibility for detecting and treating head lice. If your child has head lice, they must remain at home until an initial application of head lice treatment and preferably all eggs (nits) are removed.
To help prevent the spread of head lice:
Oral Health Services Tasmania welcomes all children from 0-18 years of age to the children’s service. Dental therapists, in community settings, provide the majority of dental care needs for children in a friendly and caring environment.
All dental examinations are free of charge and may include:
Following examination, and if dental treatment is required, there may be a fee for the course of care. Treatment is free if your child is under the age of 6, or is covered by a current Health Care Card or Concession Card.
Information about clinic locations can be found at Oral Health Services, Department of Health and Human Services:
This page has been produced by the Department of Education
Questions concerning its content may be directed by email to ServiceCentre@education.tas.gov.au or telephone 1800 816 057.
This page was last modified on 5th April 2012. The URL for this page is: http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/parents/health.
You are directed to the disclaimer and copyright notice and a Personal Information Protection statement governing the information provided.
