Welcome back and a special welcome to all new parents and students to the College. I hope that you enjoy this year. The Health Centre is situated at the top of the Le Couteur building at the car park end, while the building works continue. There is a lift but for two weeks from Monday 8 February the footpath in is being renovated so please phone me on 9568 9426 or 0407 004 738 if you are having trouble accessing the clinic.

I am here Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. We also have first aid coverage for Saturday sport in the first aid room just inside the back gates on Newington Road.

Please let me know of any change in medical details for your son or of any recent injuries/illnesses so that I can update their files. New parents please ensure that you have completed the medical form online.

• If you are a Year 7 parent, please fill in the form here
• If you are a Year 8 – 12 parent, please fill in this form

We have some boys at school who are receiving treatment for cancer and other serious conditions. These students are recovering well but are nevertheless more prone to infections. Therefore it is very important that parents contact me at the Health Centre if your son develops an infectious disease, in particular chicken pox or measles. It is also important for your son to stay home if unwell with a fever/bad cold and cough or if they have a gastric infection, to help prevent the spread of infection to others.

The College is not a ‘nut free’ zone but as there are many boys at school with anaphylaxis, it would be appreciated if Nutella and peanut butter products were not brought to school. If your son is really keen to bring these items then please have a conversation with them about not sharing these foods and explain how some boys can have a serious life threatening allergy.

Spare epipens are located in the Health Centre, pool office, library, Common Room, Concordia, Boarding House and the boat shed.

For those with asthma please ensure that you carry your reliever in your bag. At school, ventolin inhalers are available from the pool office, library and the Health Centre.

Vaccinations for Year 7 will commence on Thursday 10 March 2016. These vaccines are only free while your son is in Year 7.

They will be offered

• Boostrix (diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough booster) single dose
• Chicken pox vaccine, only if they have not had it previously or had the disease.
• HPV vaccine in a 3-dose course.

Consent forms will be handed out in Mentor time shortly.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding immunisation, as it can be confusing.

To help your son settle into school routine the best advice I can offer is to be positive, patient and encourage them to get enough sleep each night. Nine hours of sleep really helps the boys to cope with the demands of school and new friendships.

I have a small supply of spare uniforms in case an item has been forgotten or gets damaged, which the boys are welcome to borrow. I would appreciate if these could then be returned ready for the next boy.

If you would like to discuss any concerns, please feel free to contact me by phone (9568 9426) or by e-mailing me at mbates@newington.nsw.edu.au.

Sister Margaret Bates
College Nurse