Important message from the Healthcare Centre

The peak of the cold and flu season is upon us. To prevent widespread flu in the College, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following guidelines:

Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if she has any of the following symptoms:

• Very stuffy or runny nose and/or cough
• Mild sore throat
• Headache
• Stomach ache

Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if she has any of these symptoms:

• Fever (greater than 38 degrees and your child may return to school only after her temperature has been consistently below 38 degrees, for a minimum of 24 hours)
• Vomiting (even once)
• Diarrhoea
• Chills
• General malaise or feelings of fatigue, discomfort, weakness or muscle aches
• Frequent congested (wet) or croupy cough

To help prevent the flu and other colds, teach your children good hygiene habits:

• Wash hands frequently
• Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth
• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing by using your elbow or a tissue, throw it away and then wash hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until “fever free” for a minimum of 24 hours.  Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring to school.

Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimise the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom. That includes not attending co-curricular and/or the Uniform Shop.

Thank you in advance for helping make our College as healthy as possible.