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Policy Document Category: Health

Medical Welfare Policy

Medical Welfare of Students

At Merici College we follow the attached Catholic Education’s Medical Welfare of Students Policy. Please familiarise yourself with this policy so that parents, carers, and school staff can work collaboratively to ensure your student’s medical welfare during school hours.

Forms

  • Listed below are forms for completion for students requiring medication/s at school.   These forms are attached to this email.
    • Individual Response Plans – usually supplied and completed by the medical practitioner
    • CE Individual Medical Response Plan – to be completed by the student’s parent/guardian (attached)
    • CE Medication Authorisation – to be completed by the student’s parent/guardian (attached)

Individual Medical Response Plan/s

  • Schools require up to date, and medically endorsed Individual Response Plan for any student:
    • diagnosed with severe asthma, type 1 diabetes, epilepsy or anaphylaxis
    • diagnosed as being at risk of an emergency, or
    • who requires ongoing administration of health care procedures.
  • All Individual Response Plans should be renewed every 12 months, or as deemed appropriate by the medical practitioner, and the review date listed on the Individual Response Plan.
  • Section 5.5 of the Policy states “If a student requires an individual medical response plans but a current one is not in place, the school will inform parents that a plan completed and signed by a medical practitioner must be completed and returned to the school within 21 days. Up until that time, the student may continue to attend school but the parents will be responsible for providing all medical intervention whilst the child is at school (in a designated room when required). If a medical plan signed by a medical practitioner is not in place within 21 days, the student cannot attend school until one is received. The school will follow all mandatory requirements regarding recording and reporting lack of attendance and duty of care..”

Medications and Equipment

  • Parents and carers must authorise the school to administer medication by providing the school with the completed forms listed above.
  • Parents and carers must supply and maintain any appropriate medical equipment.
  • All medication must be supplied to the school in the packaging in which it was dispensed by the pharmacy. It must be clearly labelled with:
    • the child’s name
    • the drug’s name
    • the dosage and frequency to be given, and
    • the prescribing doctor’s name and phone number.
  • The School holds all medication in the Student Office, however, we recommend an extra EpiPen and Asthma Inhaler be held by any student requiring these items.
  • Students whose medical plan and/or medication are not current may not be able to attend offsite school activities such as camps, excursions, sporting days.

Please refer to below links for specific information on action plans.

Medical Welfare of Students Policy

Individual Medical Response Plan

Medication Authorisation

Use and Procurement of Alcohol

Rationale

As part of our responsible duty of care to provide a safe workplace, students, staff and visitors must be protected from the physical and behaviour risks associated when the is alcohol provided. Laws around the supply and service of alcohol and well as societal norms demand a minimum level of care and responsibility is taken concerning alcohol to protect the well-being of all.

Related Merici and CE Policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with Student Safety and Wellbeing, https://www.merici.act.edu.au/school-policies/student-safety-and-wellbeing with specific respect to alcohol, referenced below:

Use of Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco

13.1 Workers are responsible for ensuring their capacity to perform their duties is not impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs, and that the use of these substances does not put them or any other person’s health and safety at risk.

13.2 Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs while the worker is ‘on duty’ could affect their ability to work safely and efficiently, especially when they have a responsibility to supervise students or work in close proximity to them.

13.3 Workers must not attend work under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or non-prescribed and/or restricted substances.

13.5 Workers must not purchase for, offer, supply, give or administer to students, including those over the age of 18:

i. illegal drugs
ii. restricted substances
iii. prescribed or non-prescribed medication (unless dealing with or administering medication in accordance with relevant policy)
iv. alcohol
v. tobacco.

13.6 Workers must not encourage or condone the use of or use by students of:

i. illegal drugs
ii. restricted substances
iii. alcohol
iv. tobacco.

13.8 Workers must not consume tobacco on school premises or at any school-related activity where students are present.

Alcohol is not to be consumed during school hours at school whenever students are present at the school. In the absence of a policy specifically prohibiting the consumption of alcohol on school premises, at any school-related activity or any time students are present, workers (including volunteers) should be mindful of the following:

  • safety of students and others
  • supervisory responsibilities and duty of care towards students and
  • professional boundaries with students, colleagues and community
  • modelling appropriate behaviour for students
  • work health and safety
  • not driving under the influence of alcohol
  • reputation of the school and the CEO
  • professional reputation

Workers who are concerned about any person at work that may be affected by alcohol or drugs, or may have engaged in the behaviours outlined above, should consult their Principal/Supervisor/Manager.

Children and young people have a greater vulnerability to alcohol than adults.

To provide alcohol to any person under the age of 18 years is against the law.

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Social Action and Fundraising

Related Merici Policies

Healthy Eating/Drinking Policy

Rationale/Purpose

Merici College has a long tradition of active involvement in charity work. The ethos of the College involves a culture of service to others in the local, national and global communities.  Social action and fundraising are opportunities for the College community to show concern for injustice and express our faith through action.

The aim of this policy is to clarify the College’s role in supporting a number of charities, in order that:

  • the burden of fundraising and associated events is equitably maintained and
  • to allow for some flexibility so the College community can respond to changing needs and acute events (such as bushfire or flooding crises).

Definitions

A fundraising activity is defined as an organised activity to raise money or goods.

Fundraising by the College for charitable organisations will:

  • Raise awareness about the charitable organisation and the nature of its work;
  • Have a plan for action with a ‘whole’ school or a ‘House’ focus that can involve all students at the College and the wider College community.

Policy

It is Merici College’s policy to have a consistent process for the College to consider all fundraising activities. All proposals for fundraising activities must be submitted to the Head of Mission and Community and approved by the College Executive, with the ultimate decision being at the discretion of the Principal.

The College supports charities on a number of levels. The College’s main charity is Caritas. Other social awareness raising and fundraising falls into three categories.

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Security

Related Merici Policies

Evacuation and Lockdown

WHS policy

Visitors policy

Rationale/Purpose

To ensure the safety of staff and protect college assets from theft or damage.

Definitions

Nil

Policy

Merici College adopts a variety of measures to keep staff and property safe and secure based on ‘layers of security’ including tiered keying system for lock-up, alarm and monitoring and other processes to reduce the risk of theft, loss or harm.

These measures are communicated as part of staff induction.

It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure they are up to date on these policy requirements and put in to practise.

 

Please refer to the full policy attached.

Healthy Eating and Drinking Policy

Related Merici Policies

Social Awareness and Fundraising Policy

Related Resources

Australian Dietary Guidelines – www.eatforhealth.gov.au

National Healthy School Canteens Guidelines – www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-nutrition-canteens

Healthy Schools Network ACT – www.healthyschoolsact.com.au/

Healthy Schools Campaign – www.healthyschoolscampaign.org/about/

Nutrition Australia:- www.nutritionaustralia.org/act

ACT Government: Fresh Tastes Healthy Food at School www.health.act.gov.au/health-services/population-health/health-improvement/health-promotion/healthy-children-and-young-people/fresh-tastes/

Rationale/Purpose

The human person, though made of body and soul, is a unity… The human body shares in the dignity of the image of God: it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church para 364).

Merici College strives to be a place where children are nurtured and nourished at every level – emotionally, spiritually, socially, academically and physically. This means that the food offered to the children through the school community needs to be nutritious, nourishing and sustaining. Schools are in a unique position to reinforce and send powerful healthy eating messages to children that will assist them in making positive lifestyle choices.  As Merici College moves towards a healthier environment for our students and strives to be more sustainable in our practices, we need to set an example with all catering whether it is for staff, parents or students.

A healthy lifestyle is vital to good health at all stages of life but especially in childhood through to adolescence. Children develop lifestyle habits that can last a lifetime. It is also at this stage that major growth and development occurs, to which nutrition and a well-balanced diet is fundamental. Concern has mounted recently in Australia over the poor food choices and eating habits of children and adolescents. Research statistics widely reported in the media have raised alarm over the growing obesity problem of the Australian population and in particular children and young people.

Research shows students learn better when they’re well-nourished. Healthy eating has been linked to higher grades, better memory, more alertness, faster information processing and improved health, leading to better school attendance. Food choices also have a significant impact on the environment through the associated carbon dioxide emissions, food waste and packaging. Merici College endeavours to provide an environment that will have a positive impact on nutritional health and promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle in our students, staff and parents.

Definitions

Always Foods:

These are often known as whole foods; food that is reasonably intact and unprocessed such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy, eggs and fruit. They are as close to their natural state as possible and ideally free from artificial additives and preservatives. They are dense in nutrients, create steady supplies of energy and providing lasting satisfaction.

Sometimes Foods:

Often called junk food or treats, ‘sometimes foods’ are foods such as chocolate, lollies, soft drinks, sweetened juice drinks, fried food, potato chips, cakes and takeaway foods. They are usually high in calories/Kilojoules (Kj) yet low in nutrients and contain levels of sugar, fat and/or salt that are disproportionate to daily recommended allowances and lead to spikes and falls in energy levels and levels of concentration. Regular consumption of these foods often leads to overeating and subsequently the storage of excess calories/Kj as fat deposits on and within the body.

Policy

A health and nutrition Policy that covers the consumption of food and drink makes a positive statement to students, staff members, parents and the broader community about the value placed on human life, the environment and all of creation.

This Policy aims to provide:

  • education about the importance of a healthy diet;
  • increased levels of energy, concentration and performance in staff and students;
  • a decrease in absenteeism in both staff and students;
  • healthy canteen choices congruent with the nutrition knowledge taught in the classroom
  • waste free food and beverage choices
  • low carbon footprint food choices

This Policy aims to promote:

  • positive attitudes towards healthy food choices;
  • lifestyle practices which can help reduce the incidence of obesity, tooth decay and the number ofrelated diseases (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer);
  • the financial benefits of regularly choosing healthy food options;
  • a school culture of healthy eating that can extend into the wider family and community;
  • a student’s personal responsibility for decision making about healthy eating both now and in adult independence;
  • an awareness of the links between nutrition, marketing, agricultural practices and the environment.

Procedures

In order to achieve these outcomes:

  • students will be encouraged to have a water bottle accessible, where appropriate, allowing them to drink water throughout the day;
  • parents will be encouraged and responsible to provide ‘Waste Free’ food healthy treats may be provided at school with the intention of eliminating extrinsic food incentives
    (ie. no lollies as rewards)
  • students will receive explicit teaching about healthy food and nutrition as part of the Health and Food Technology and Hospitality curriculum;
    all food at class and staff parties/morning teas will reflect a balance that is in favour of ‘Always’foods vs ‘Sometimes’ foods
  • all food consumed on camps, on excursions and in classes as part of the curriculum will endeavourto comply with the Healthy Eating/Drinking Policy, reflecting a balance that is in favour of ‘Always’ vs ‘Sometimes’ foods, where possible.
  • the canteen menu will reflect a balance in favour of ‘Always’ vs ‘Sometimes’ foods.
  • staff will be asked to model positive food choices and not provide soft drinks and lollies
    to students
  • students and staff will be asked not to bring hot drinks, energy drinks, fast food or other take-away food to school due to the negative impact of the packaging on the environment and the unhealthynature of the food.
  • senior students will be asked to model positive food choices and are required to consume all fast food purchases off-campus.
  • fundraising activities will seek to find creative alternatives to the use of food, or will assure that‘Sometimes’ foods and drinks are avoided – see Social Action and Fundraising Policy
  • raise the awareness and importance of healthy eating amongst students, staff and wider community at the College. This should be done through school curriculum, ‘What’s On’ newsletter, intranet, canteen menus, classroom activities and other alternative forms of communication.
  • the school will adhere to the Food Safety Acts
  • student’s urgent medical needs will be noted and addressed

Forms

Nil

Approved by:               Merici Executive

Implementation Date:  June 2015

Policy last Updated:     July 2022

Merici Contact Officer: Principal

Merici College Braddon
Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited
ABN 60 675 797 734
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