Medication and Medical Information

To help us keep student records up to date, we ask parents and caregivers to review and update their child’s contact and medical details in the Parent Portal at the start of each school year.

If medication is required during school hours, all prescribed medications are securely stored in the First Aid room. Students are responsible for attending at the correct time to take their medication, and each dose is recorded to ensure proper care.

Regular Medication Administration

Regular medication can be given to students with instructions from a medical practitioner and written consent from parents. The school requires:

A doctor’s (or medical practitioner’s) letter with the student’s name, medication, and dosage.
Written notice from parents if medication is to stop or change. Any dosage increases require an updated doctor’s letter.

Due to the increasing number of students who require regular medications to be administered at school, we ask that parents of students requiring regular medications supply the school with a Webster pack.

As-Needed Medication Administration

Kindergarten to Year 6

Pain relief (Paracetamol/Ibuprofen) can only be given under these conditions:

For ongoing pain management (e.g., after an injury), parents must provide a signed note or email with medication details, dosage, and timing. The medication supplied must be standard over-the-counter pain relief medication suitable for the age group.
Approval from the Head of Primary is required for individual cases.
The School only supplies tablets. If your child needs a liquid or other form, parents must supply it along with dosage instructions or the student’s weight in writing.

Year 7 to Year 12

For students under 14: Written parental consent is required before administering pain relief.
For students over 14: Verbal parental consent is required.

Short-Term Prescribed Medication (All Years)

Students requiring short-term prescribed medication during school hours must provide:

Medication in original packaging with a doctor’s letter outlining dosage and timing.
If timing isn’t specified, parents must give written instructions.

Any situations that arise outside of these criteria will require approval from the Principal.

Important Notes:

Students are not permitted to self-medicate at any time.
All medications (e.g., EpiPens, asthma spacers) must be brought to the First Aid room on the first day of school, with expiry dates covering the entire year and an up-to-date Action Plan from your child’s doctor.
Medications must be collected on the last day of school each year.

For any questions, please email the First Aid Room.

Consent to Administer Medication

For medication to be administered at school or during school-related activities, there must be medical authorisation for the student to have that medication, and the medication must be in its original container with intact packaging or in a labelled Webster pack.

Examples of medical authorisation include:

a pharmacy label with both the student’s and doctor’s name on it;
a signed letter from a doctor;
a medication order from a dentist.

To request that the school administer medication to a student

Complete the Consent to administer medication form.
Provide the school with the medication in the original container with intact packaging or a labelled Webster pack (required for routine/everyday medications).
Provide the written medical authorisation (e.g. completed pharmacy label, medication order, action plan) completed and signed by the prescribing health practitioner.
Make an appointment with the principal/delegate if:

the student requires medication as an emergency response;
the student has complex health support needs or requires other support strategies; or
you have any concerns about the student’s health which may affect their schooling.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylactic students are required to have two EpiPens/Anapens for school use. One EpiPen/Anapen travels to and from school, and a spare EpiPen/Anapen, any prescribed antihistamine medication and their Action Plan for Anaphylaxis are held by the School for emergency purposes. We recommend our Stage 1 students have their EpiPen/Anapen on them at all times, worn in an EpiPen pouch or similar holder. These students are also required to have identification in the form of white cording on their school hats, which can be purchased from fabric stores. Students are permitted to wear a Medi-Alert bracelet if deemed necessary.

Is St Columba Anglican School a nut-free school?

Banning specific foods in schools is not recommended by health experts, as there is no evidence that it reduces the risk of anaphylaxis. The school cannot guarantee being nut or allergen-free, as this may lead to a false sense of security about exposure.

Primary School Guidelines:

Students with severe allergies are identified through Health Alerts for staff awareness.
Annual meetings with parents confirm each student's Health Plan.
Parents are requested to label lunch boxes and drinks with the child's name.
Students with allergies wear a white cording on their hats for identification.
Staff emphasise the importance of washing hands, eating their own food, and not sharing food or utensils.
The Primary School has a supervised eating time in a specified area for all students.
We avoid using foods as rewards for classroom behaviour.
Parents of children with allergies are encouraged to provide alternatives for birthday celebrations.
Staff consider necessary adjustments for students with allergies during incursions and excursions, such as camps.

Secondary School Guidelines:

Students with nut allergies are identified on a Health Alert for staff awareness.
Students are encouraged to manage their own food consumption responsibly.
Nuts may be used in subject-specific kitchen operations within the Secondary curriculum.