Hamilton State School...Hamilton State School All students are to be collected by 3.15pm, unless your child is attending after school care with PCYC. On the occasion that this is not

Hamilton State School

Hamilton

State School

Parent Handbook

Safe, Respectful and Responsible


WELCOME TO HAMILTON STATE SCHOOL

Principal’s Message

Dear Parents and Carers

It is a pleasure to welcome your child/children to Hamilton State School and to wish

them happiness and success in all aspects of their school life. Our school prides

itself on the personal nature of a small school, where close relationships are built

between the students, staff and parents.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to become a part of your

child/children’s school experience. Please feel free to join the Parent and Citizens

Association or become actively involved as a volunteer. We gratefully accept help in

the school and I urge you to get involved for your child’s benefit. Studies have

repeatedly shown that children who have parents involved with their school do better

with their learning.

To ensure open lines of communication are maintained, information is sent home

regularly, via the fortnightly School Newsletter. The School Newsletter can be

accessed via the School’s Website, and contains information about the day to day

operation, including incursions/excursions and school activities. School Assembly

occurs each Friday afternoon (2.40pm-3.00pm) in which everyone is welcome.

The staff at Hamilton State School endeavour to be role models for our students.

Positive attitudes greatly enhance a child’s chances of developing their full potential

at school. Please do not hesitate to contact class teachers on any matter concerning

your child’s education. You will always be welcome.

We are very proud of the quality education our school provides and the strong

relationships that are built. I look forward to working with you to ensure your

child/children achieves his/her best.

I wish you a successful and rewarding time at our school.

Liam Bray

Principal


SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION

Address: 71 Oxford Street

Hamilton 4007

School Telephone: 3361 6444

INCLUDING STUDENT ABSENCE

Fax Number: 3868 4359

STAFF – CURRENT

Principal Mr Liam Bray

Classroom Teachers Mrs Kelli Auchter-Glowery Prep

Miss Kaitlin Cobcroft Year 1/2

Mrs Sue Buckingham Year 3/4

Mr Liam Bray Year 5/6 (Mon-Tue)

Mrs Lisa Nicholls Year 5/6 (Wed-Fri)

Ancillary Staff Ms Eva Nika Administration Officer

(Mon-Fri)

Mrs Val Nothling Teacher Aide

Mrs Lorraine Vann Teacher Aide

Mrs Trish Flanagan Teacher Aide

Mrs Megan Valler Chaplain

Mrs Mirela Bace Cleaner

Specialist Teaching Staff Mr Tsunehiro Nonaka LOTE – Japanese

Miss Chloe Leatham Music

Mrs Jo Jardine PE

Mr Paul Dearling Guidance Officer

Mrs Lynne Sheppard Instrumental Music

(Woodwind & Brass)

Miss Harmony Wollett Online Music (Strings)

Mrs Leica Beevers EAL/D


SCHOOL INFORMATION AND ORGANISATION

Assembly

The School Assemblies are held on Friday afternoons at 2.40pm in front

of the flag pole behind A block. Parents are always welcome. There is

an expectation that students are attentive and do not talk and we ask

parents to support our assemblies by being good role models.

Attendance

Once enrolled at this school, daily and on time attendance in Year 1 to 6

is compulsory unless through reasonable excuse. While Prep is not

compulsory, once enrolled, it is an expectation. Where your

child/children are absent on any occasion, please

· Provide a signed note explaining the reason for the absence.

· Call the absence line on 3361 6444 and leave a brief message

stating your name and relationship to the child, the child’s name,

reason for absence and expected return date

· Absences extending beyond ten (10) consecutive days require

parents to submit an Application for Exemption from Compulsory

School – please see the office N.B. Continued absenteeism will result in Department of Education,

Training and Employment (DETE) policies being adhered to.

Day Procedures

School Starting/Finish Time

School officially starts at 8.50am each day. Our school policy is that

students may arrive at school from 8.15am on the condition that they sit

outside the office until 8.30am. Students will then be released to play.

At 8.45am, the bell will signal for ‘Fruit Bat’ time, where students eat a

piece of fruit. At 8:55am, students will be sent to line up ready for class.

Arrival after 9am will require signing in at the office. Late arrivals are

recorded on One School as per Departmental regulations and absences

monitored. Please note: late arrival is disruptive to students and

teachers.


All students are to be collected by 3.15pm, unless your child is attending

after school care with PCYC. On the occasion that this is not possible,

please inform the school. Students not collected by 3.15pm will wait in

the office.

Please note the following points of the school policy as they are

essential to the safety of children:

· Children should come directly to school and return directly home;

· All children must stay in the school grounds once they have

entered the school grounds in the morning;

· If you require your child/children to leave early, you must go to the

office and sign them out.

Collection of students

Should parents wish to collect students during school hours, they must

make contact in person, by phone or by note. Parents need to report in

person to the office to sign out the child.

Book Lists

Book lists are available from the school office. These lists are drawn up

by the teachers. It is strongly suggested that your child has the items on

the list and that they are clearly marked with your child’s name. Items

such as pencils and glue will probably need to be replaced during the

year.

8:30 am Supervised play

8:45 am Fruit Bat time

8:55 am Students make their way to class

9:00 am First Session

11:00 am First Beak (10 mins eating, 20 mins play)

11:30 am Second Session

1:00 pm Second Break (10 mins eating, 30 mins play)

1:40 pm Third Session

3:00 pm School finishes

3:15 pm All students not picked up to go to office


Certificates and Awards

These are given for outstanding achievement and behaviour. They are

awarded at our whole school assembly.

Positive student behaviour and achievement will be promoted and

recognised.

1. Student of week certificates

2. Class awards

3. Principal’s awards

Class Organisation

Due to the size of Hamilton State School, classes are multi-age.

Children are allocated to classes on the basis of age, the best situation

to suit his/her learning needs, current academic achievement, or

previous educational experience in Queensland or in other educational

systems.

Code of Conduct

Staff and students adhere to a Code of Conduct. All parents, community

members and visitors are required to adhere to the Visitors’ Code of

Conduct that is –

All people coming to our school are asked to:

· Respect the rights of all students to access the education we

provide

· Respect the professional role of our staff

· Respect other parents and visitors

· Respect the physical environment for learning

· Respect the policies and procedures established for the school’s

good order and management

It is inappropriate to speak, regarding situations that may or may not

have happened at school, with any student of whom you do not have

guardianship. To explain, you need to be aware that the information can

be one-sided and based on hearsay. Involvement can be in conflict with

the school’s investigation of the situation and make it extremely difficult

to respond in a fair and ethical manner.

All of our students will benefit from families and the school being in a

positive, healthy and working partnership.


Day 8 Procedure

The school is staffed on the actual number of students attending school

on the 8th day. Therefore it is essential that written evidence is provided

if your child will not be commencing the school year by Day 8. Please

contact the school prior.

Enrolment

All children need a birth certificate or passport to be enrolled. As

Hamilton State School is enrolment-managed, proof of current

residential address is also required.

Enrolment forms will be provided by the school in order complete the

enrolment process.

Excursions/Incursions

As an aid to a better understanding of work taught, educational

excursions/incursions are a practical part of our school program. From

time to time, students be given the opportunity to participate in an

excursion/incursion.

We are very careful to ensure that excursions are cost-effective and

appropriate to their educational program. Parents will be advised as to

costs, venue, transport and other arrangements well in advance prior to

the excursion. A signed consent/permission form will be required prior

to your child participating in an excursion.

On rare occasions, parents may be asked to assist with transporting

students. In order to provide transport,

· The driver must have a current driver’s licence

· The vehicle must be registered

· The vehicle must have seat belts for all occupants

Expectations

The school’s expectations are:

· Be Safe

· Be Respectful

· Be Responsible


Teachers explicitly teach these expectations at the beginning of the

year, and revisit at the beginning of each term and on a needs basis.

These expectations are addressed regularly during the school assembly.

Homework

Education Queensland has guidelines for student homework

emphasising the need for balance between family life and consolidating

classroom learning.

Hamilton State School believes that homework provides students with

opportunities to consolidate their classroom learning, pattern behaviour

for lifelong learning beyond the classroom and involve family members

in their learning. The setting of homework takes into account the need

for students to have a balanced lifestyle. This includes time for family,

recreation and cultural pursuits.

Homework that enhances student learning:

· is purposeful and relevant to student needs

· is appropriate to the phase of learning

· is appropriate to the capability of the student

· develops the student’s independence as a learner

· is varied, challenging and clearly related to classroom work

· consolidates newly learned skills

· allows for student commitment to recreational, family and cultural

activities

House System

All children are allocated to school house upon enrolment. There are

two houses: Bonney (Red) and Hinkler (Yellow). Children from the

same family are allocated to the same house.

Homework Schedule

(DETE – Homework – State Schools Policy)

Prep Homework is optional

Years 1-3 Will not exceed 1 hour per week

Years 4-5 Will not exceed 2-3 hours per week

Years 6-7 Will not exceed 3-4 hours per week


How do I voice any concerns?

The following procedures are to be used to resolve complaints or

concerns at our school:

· Let the school know via email, letter, telephone or in person that

you have a concern, providing details of the issue.

· The school will investigate to try to find out the facts surrounding

the concern.

· The most appropriate person will contact you to discuss the

matter, or to organise a meeting.

· Many concerns are quickly resolved once all the facts are

identified.

· District Office – School Community Liaison Officers can be

contacted to help solve problems. Phone 3028 8166

Insurance

Please be aware that when involved in activities there is an inherent risk

of physical injuries occurring. Injuries may occur without any negligence

on the part of the school and in such circumstances the responsibility for

the injury and any associated costs will rest with you, not the school.

Please take this into consideration in deciding whether or not to allow

your child to participate in a particular activity. You may choose to

obtain private insurance coverage.

Internet

Social Media

Please be aware that social networking sites such as Facebook are

illegal for children to access under the age of 13. Due to the level of

distress caused by misuse of these sites, the school strongly

recommends that no child under 13 be allowed to access them.

Student Internet Agreement

Parents/carers are required to read and sign the school internet

agreement. This will be provided upon enrolment.

The teaching staff will outline the internet access agreement with the

students at the beginning of each year.


Keeping you informed

Newsletters and Notices

Official communication from the school to home is by way of Newsletters

or Notices. Newsletters are generally sent home fortnightly and are the

primary source of information. As a school we are trying to reduce our

environmental footprint by limiting the number of notices being sent

home.

· Newsletters contain items of interest and important information

relevant to both school and community.

o A hardcopy is sent home with the eldest child at the school

from each family

o Newsletters are available on the school’s website

· Notices for excursions and for other matters are sent home as the

need arises.

Parent Information Sessions

Early in Term 1, teachers will conduct Parent Information sessions. The

class teacher will provide information about key learning areas, planned

curriculum development for the year, class procedures, homework, and

expectations for learning.

These sessions provide everyone with an opportunity to meet the

teachers and other parents, as well as to become more informed about

the school.

Visits to the School

We are always pleased to discuss with parents any matters relating to

the education of their children or other items connected to being a

member of our school community.

Library Borrowing

The school library has a range of fiction and non-fiction books. Students

may borrow up to 2 books for 1 week. In the unfortunate situation where

a book is lost, a letter will be sent requesting payment to replace the

book.


LOTE (Language Other Than English)

All students from Prep – Year 6 participate in Japanese lessons

conducted by our LOTE Specialist Teacher. While all students are

exposed to the culture and language of Japan through these lessons,

only Years 3 – 6 will be assessed and achievement appear on the report

card.

Money Collection

Your child will, at various times during the year, be asked to bring money

for Fun Food Friday, excursions, incursions etc. Please ensure money is

sent in an envelope, clearly labelled with the child’s name, class and

what the money is for. Parents are also able to pay via BPoint (See the

office for more information).

Music

Students in Prep – Year 6 attend Music lessons for ½ hour one day per

week with a Music Specialist Teacher.

Students in Year 4 – 6 have the opportunity to participate at school for

woodwind, brass and percussion and for strings via the online

Instrumental Music Program. Please contact the office for further

information.

Road Safety

To ensure the safety of the students, staff and families of Hamilton State

School, it is important to adhere to road/parking safety.

There are entrance gates at both front (Oxford Street) and back

(Windsor Street) of the school.

· Oxford Street

o Street parking available

o Please note the sections of the street that are signed with

restricted parking (e.g. no standing between 2-4pm just

outside the school gates)

o There is police presence from time to time and non-

compliance will result in a fine

· Windsor Street

o Street parking available

o Unrestricted parking area


Parents and Citizens Association (P&C)

Our school is most fortunate to have an active and supportive P&C

association. We urge you to support the P&C by attending meetings,

fundraising events and helping out in any way that you can.

Meetings are held in the school office on the second Tuesday of each

month at 3:15 pm. All are welcome.

Physical Education and Sporting Activities

All children are expected to participate in the school’s physical education

and sports program. We believe that physical education and organised

sport play a role in child growth and development, in respect to physical,

social and academic areas.

The school has the services of a visiting Physical Education (PE)

Specialist Teacher 1 day a week. This teacher assists in all aspects of

the Health and Physical Education Program.

This includes:

· Physical Education – children will participate in a program of

regular fitness and skill development

· Swimming – children from Prep – Year 7 take part in our swimming

program (5 weeks in Term 4). Swimming is part of the school

curriculum and all students are expected to participate.

· Athletics – children train in athletic skills prior to our Interhouse

Athletics Carnival held at the school, and participate in the Small

Schools Athletics Carnival.

· Gala Days – students in Year 5-6 participate in exhibition sport

days of a selected team sport

Refund Policy

Money paid for an excursion or school camp may be refunded in full or

part in the situation that a student does not participate or attend, after

indicating attendance of the activity.

Religious Education

Religious education lessons (Christian) occur once per week. Church

representatives take classes for a 30 minute period. Classes cover all

denominations. Children will automatically be involved in these classes


unless indicated through enrolment or a written note received from

parents stating otherwise.

Responsible Behaviour Plan

Hamilton State School’s ‘Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students’ is

aligned to school expectations of Safe, Respectful and Responsible.

Its aims are:

· To build a school environment based on high level values, positive

behaviour, mutual respect and co-operation

· To promote a team approach

· To manage challenging/unacceptable behaviour in a positive and

professional manner

· To establish a well understood and logical sequence of

consequences and rewards for student behaviour

Reporting and Interviews

Interviews

The purpose of parent-teacher interviews is the sharing of information

that will be beneficial to students. The opportunity to discuss your child’s

strengths and weaknesses will assist with programming at school and at

home. Oral reporting interviews will occur at the end of Term 1 and

Term 3.

Written Reports

Throughout the year, teachers are continually evaluating the children’s

work by means of regular assessments, projects/assignments and other

activities. Written reports are sent home at the end of each semester.

Report cards are sent home on the last day of Term 2 and 4.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN is the National assessment that occurs in Term 2 for Years 3 &

5. Results of the NAPLAN test will be provided to parents in September-

October.

School Photos

School photographs are taken each year by a visiting photographer. All

students are included in the class photographs. Individual and sibling

photographs may be purchased.


School Student Banking

All QLD State Schools bank with the Commonwealth Bank (CBA). If you

would like your child/children to open a ‘Dollarmite’ and participate in

school banking, please see the office for forms. After you have filled in

the forms you will receive a yellow banking wallet from the CBA.

The process is very simple: complete the deposit book and enclose the

money and put into the ‘Hamilton Box’ in the office. A parent volunteer

enters the transactions online and the money is taken to the bank and

deposited. The wallet is then returned. Students can earn rewards and

prizes throughout the year.

Smoking

Departmental policy states that there is to be no smoking within 4

metres of school grounds. No area within the school can be

designated for smoking.

Support Personnel

Advisory Visiting Teachers

Teachers for students with speech, language, visual, hearing or physical

impairment or behavioural concerns visit the school. Details are

available from the office.

Chaplain

A Chaplain supports students with social-emotional learning 1.5 days

per week. Programs run by the Chaplain include our Active School

Travel program and lunchtime games/activities. The Chaplain is

available to meet with students and families as required. Further

information is provided at enrolment and can be obtained from the office.

English as an additional language/dialect (EAL/D)

An EAL/D teacher visits Hamilton State School to support students from

a non-English speaking background.

Guidance Services

Hamilton State School receives a visit from a Guidance Officer.

Students are referred to the Guidance Officer through the school’s

referral process. If you wish for your child to see the Guidance Officer,

please discuss the need with your child’s teacher, who will refer your


child on if required. If the referral is of a more sensitive nature, please

speak with the Principal.

Support Teacher: Literacy and Numeracy (ST:LaN)

A ST:LaN teacher supports students with literacy and numeracy

difficulties.

Uniforms

Uniforms are available from the school’s uniform shop.

Hamilton State School has a uniform and therefore it is expected that all

students wear the correct uniform. The Parents and Citizens’

Association supports the Education Queensland uniform policy. The

uniform is designed with sun safety and gender equity. This ensures

that all students are dressed appropriately, and are easily identified at

school and on excursions.

The uniform consists of:

· School Hat is a requirement

o Broad rim hat

· Summer Uniform

o Navy blue shorts, skirt, skort

o Royal blue polo shirt (with school emblem)

o Checked formal school shirt

o Checked school dress

o White socks

o Black closed-in shoes, such as joggers


· Winter Uniform (additional to Summer Uniform)

o Navy blue jumper or jacket

o Navy blue tracksuit pants

o Navy blue tights (for girls)

Hair

For safety and reduction of the transmission of head lice, we ask that all

shoulder length or longer hair be tied back.

Jewellery

We would prefer that no jewellery is worn as there are concerns around

safety and loss, however, in recognition of cultural diversity, health

issues and educational learning about time, the following are acceptable:

· Watches

· Medical alerts

· Items or religious significance

· Small ear studs

Please clearly label your child’s uniform, especially hat and jumpers.

Mobile Phones & Electronic Devices

Students are asked to leave mobile phones and electronic devices at

home unless a mobile phone is needed for safety reasons: e.g.

contacting parents after school. No responsibility is taken for the loss or

theft of devices. All phones and devices are to be handed in to the office


when students arrive at school and will be returned at the end of each

day.

Volunteers

Parents are very welcome to volunteer in classrooms during learning

time. If you would like to help out in the classroom, please contact the

class teacher to organise a suitable time for you to come in and help.

Please sign in at the office when volunteering in a classroom.

FIRST AID AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES

Medication

Children are not to have medication at school without office staff

knowing. Medication will only be administered from the school office

unless parents wish to administer medication.

Strict new procedures have been developed by the Queensland

Government regarding prescription and over-the-counter medication in

schools.

All parents/caregivers must:

· Notify the school of a health condition requiring medication at

school – please complete students medication form available from

the office

· Request in writing if the school staff are to administer medication

to assist in the management of a health condition

· Provide the medication in the original labelled container to the

office

· Ensure the medication is not out of date and has an original

pharmacy label with the student’s name, dosage and time to be

taken (medication will only be administered at school if unable to

be administered from home)

· Notify the school in writing when a change in dosage is required.

This instruction must be accompanied by a letter from a medical

practitioner

· Advise the office and collect the medication when it is no longer

required at school

School personnel are not permitted to provide or administer analgesics

such as Panadol unless prescribed within above guidelines.


Exception to the above guidelines is asthmas puffers (such as Ventolin)

which may be kept by the child.

Procedures

In the event of an accident/injury to a student, the procedure is as

follows:

Serious Accident/Injury

ie. fractures, serious head injury, suspected spinal injury

1. Appropriate First Aid is administered

2. Ambulance is rung immediately

3. Parent is contacted. If unavailable, emergency contact is phoned

4. Student is transported by ambulance to appropriate medical facility

Minor Accident/Injury


2. Student remains in office or returns to class

Accident/Injury which may require further treatment


2. Parent is contacted, is advised of the accident/injury and is asked:

‘Do you wish to collect your child for further medical treatment?’

or

‘Do you wish the school to contact the ambulance?’

Head Lice

From time to time, there are unavoidable infestations of head lice in all

schools. Should this occur you will be notified via a notice.

Illness

The following 2 pages outline potential illnesses and the exclusion time

required to prevent the spread of infectious diseases/illnesses.

October 2010

public health units

Southern

Brisbane Southside 3000 9148

Gold Coast 5509 7222

Darling Downs 4631 9888

Logan 3412 2989

West Moreton 3413 1200

Central

Brisbane Northside 3624 1111

Rockhampton 4920 6989

Sunshine Coast 5409 6600

Moreton Bay 3142 1800

Hervey Bay 4184 1800

Tropical

Cairns 4226 5501

Townsville 4753 9000

Mackay 4885 6611

Mount Isa 4744 9100

Time OutSome medical conditions require

exclusion from school or child care to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff and children.

This poster provides information on the recommended minimum exclusion periods for infectious

conditions and will assist medical practitioners, schools, pre-

schools and child care centres to meet the requirements of the Public Health Act 2005.

ConditionExclusion of Case

(person with infection)

Exclusion of Contacts1

(person exposed to the case with the infection)

Exclude until all blisters have dried. This is usually at least 5 days after the rash first appeared in unimmunised people

and less in immunised people.

Pregnant women and anyone with an immune deficiency (eg. leukaemia) or receiving chemotherapy

or immunosuppressive therapy may require preventive immunoglobulin and/or exclusion for their own protection. Contact local public health

unit for advice. Otherwise not excluded.

Exclude young children unable to comply with good hygiene practices while sores

are weeping (sores should be covered with a dressing where possible).

Exclude young children unable to comply with good hygiene practices while sores are weeping (sores

should be covered with a dressing where possible).

Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased unless non-infectious conjunctivitis.

Not excluded.

Exclusion not necessary. Not excluded.

Exclude until there has not been a loose bowel motion for 24 hours.

Exclude staff whose work involves food handling until they have not had any diarrhoea or vomiting for 48 hours.

If there are more than 2 cases with loose bowel motions in the same centre or a single case in a food handler notify

your nearest public health unit.

Not excluded.

Exclude according to public health unit requirements.

Exclude according to public health unit requirements.

Written medical clearance is required confirming the virus is no longer present

in the child’s bowel motions. Not excluded.


Haemophilus influenza

Exclude until child has received appropriate antibiotic treatment4 for at least 4 days.

Written medical clearance from doctor or public health unit is required to return to child care/school, confirming child is not infectious5.

Not excluded.

Exclude until all blisters have dried. Not excluded.

Exclusion is not necessary if effective treatment is commenced prior to the next attendance day (i.e. the child does not need to be sent

home immediately if head lice are detected).

Not excluded.

Exclude until at least 7 days after the onset of jaundice or illness. Written medical clearance from doctor or public health unit is required to return to child care/

school, confirming child is not infectious5.

Not excluded.




Exclude until well. Not excluded.

Footnotes

1. The definition of ‘contact’ will vary between diseases and is sometimes complex. If unsure, contact your local public health unit.

2. Diarrhoea: the definition is 2 or more consecutive bowel motions that are looser and more frequent than normal or escapes a child’s nappy.

3. Doctors should notify the local public health unit as soon as possible if children or staff are diagnosed with these conditions.

4. Appropriate antibiotic treatment: the definition will vary between diseases. If unsure, contact your local public health unit.

5. Observing the exclusion period meets the intent of the Public Health Act 2005 for a person to be not infectious.

6. For meningococcal infection, appropriate treatment is the use of rifampicin, ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone and this will meet the intent of the Public Health Act for a person to be not infectious.

For additional information please refer to the NHMRC publication

“Staying Healthy in Child Care” at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/

index.htm or the Queensland Health website at http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/

for fact sheets about various communicable diseases.

See www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation for an electronic copy of this poster.

For further advice and information on any of these conditions

contact your nearest public health unit.

October 2010

Time Out

ConditionExclusion of Case

(person with infection)Exclusion of Contacts1 (person exposed

to the case with the infection)

Exclude until at least 4 days since the onset of rash. Written medical clearance from doctor or public health unit is required to return to child care/school, confirming child is not infectious5.

Immunised and immune contacts not excluded.

Exclude unimmunised contacts of a case until 14 days after the first day of appearance of rash in the last case, unless they are immunised within 72 hours, or receive

an immunoglobulin injection within 7 days, of first contact during the infectious period with the first case.

Exclude all immunocompromised children and staff until 14 days after the first day of appearance of rash in the last case.

Exclude until well and has received appropriate antibiotics. 4 Not excluded.

Exclude until well. Not excluded.

Exclude until child is well and has received appropriate antibiotics.6 Written medical

clearance from doctor or public health unit is required to return to child care/school,

confirming child is not infectious5.

Not excluded.


Exclude for 9 days after onset of swelling. Not excluded.

Exclude until they have not had any diarrhoea or vomiting for 48 hours.

Not excluded.

Exclusion not necessary.Not excluded (pregnant women should

consult their medical practitioner).

Exclude until child has received 5 days of appropriate antibiotics4 or for 21 days from the onset of coughing.

Written medical clearance from doctor or public health unit is required to return to child care/

school, confirming child is not infectious5.

Exclude from childcare settings children who have received less than 3 pertussis vaccinations who are in

the same household or same childcare room as case until completed 5 days appropriate antibiotics. If no antibiotics,

exclude 14 days from last exposure to infectious case.

Staff who have not had a pertussis booster in last 10 years who are in same childcare room as case and do not commence appropriate antibiotics; exclude

14 days from last exposure to infectious case

Note: where contact in childcare room with case is <12 months and had less than 3 pertussis vaccinations it is

recommended all staff and children in the room receive appropriate antibiotics regardless of vaccination status.

Exclude for at least 14 days from onset of symptoms and case has recovered. Written medical clearance from doctor or public

health unit is required to return to child care/school, confirming child is not infectious5.

Not excluded unless considered necessary by public health unit.

Exclude until the day after appropriate treatment has commenced.

Not excluded.


Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 4 days after the onset of rash.

Not excluded (female staff of childbearing age should check their immunity to rubella with their doctor).

Exclude case until has received appropriate antibiotics for at least 24 hours. Sores on exposed areas must be covered with a watertight dressing.

Not excluded.

Exclude until diarrhoea has stopped for 48 hours and two stool samples negative, as

per public health unit requirements.

Exclude until two stool samples negative as per public health unit requirements.

Exclude until well and has received antibiotic treatment4 for at least 24 hours.

Not excluded.


Written medical clearance is required from Queensland Tuberculosis Control Centre to return to child care/school, confirming child is not infectious.

Not excluded.

Exclude from child care/school/food handling and health care workplaces until there is written medical clearance from doctor or public health

unit confirming child is not infectious and has met public health unit requirements.

Not excluded unless considered necessary by public health unit.

See pertussis See pertussis

Exclude if loose bowel motions present. Not excluded.

public health units

Southern

Brisbane Southside 3000 9148

Gold Coast 5509 7222

Darling Downs 4631 9888

Logan 3412 2989

West Moreton 3413 1200

Central

Brisbane Northside 3624 1111

Rockhampton 4920 6989

Sunshine Coast 5409 6600

Moreton Bay 3142 1800

Hervey Bay 4184 1800

Tropical

Cairns 4226 5501

Townsville 4753 9000

Mackay 4885 6611

Mount Isa 4744 9100

Some medical conditions require exclusion from school or child care to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff and children.

This poster provides information on the recommended minimum exclusion periods for infectious

conditions and will assist medical practitioners, schools, pre-

schools and child care centres to meet the requirements of the Public Health Act 2005.

Footnotes

1. The definition of ‘contact’ will vary between diseases and is sometimes complex. If unsure, contact your local public health unit.

2. Diarrhoea: the definition is 2 or more consecutive bowel motions that are looser and more frequent than normal or escapes a child’s nappy.

3. Doctors should notify the local public health unit as soon as possible if children or staff are diagnosed with these conditions.

4. Appropriate antibiotic treatment: the definition will vary between diseases. If unsure, contact your local public health unit.

5. Observing the exclusion period meets the intent of the Public Health Act 2005 for a person to be not infectious.

6. For meningococcal infection, appropriate treatment is the use of rifampicin, ciprofloxacin or ceftriaxone and this will meet the intent of the Public Health Act for a person to be not infectious.

For additional information please refer to the NHMRC publication

“Staying Healthy in Child Care” at http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/

index.htm or the Queensland Health website at http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/

for fact sheets about various communicable diseases.

See www.health.qld.gov.au/immunisation for an electronic copy of this poster.

For further advice and information on any of these conditions

contact your nearest public health unit.

Documents

Hamilton State School...Hamilton State School All students are to be collected by 3.15pm, unless your child is attending after school care with PCYC. On the occasion that this is not