Welcome back and especially ‘welcome’ to all new parents and students to the College. I hope that you enjoy this year. The lovely Davidson Health Centre is situated on the Ground Floor next to the Tupou College Centre. It is well signposted between the chapel and Le Couteur building.

I am here Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 5 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 our Newington medical form online. Here are the links again:

Year 7

Years 8 – 11 

Parents, we have some boys at school who are receiving treatment for other serious conditions. These students are recovering well but are nevertheless more prone to infections. Therefore, it is very important that if your son develops an infectious disease in particular chicken pox or measles that you contact me at the Health Centre. It is also important for your son to stay home if quite 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. There are many boys at school with anaphylaxis to nuts and so it would be appreciated if nuts 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 have a serious life-threatening allergy.

Spare EpiPens are located in the Health Centre, pool office, library, cafeteria, Common Room, Drama Centre, 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 March 6. 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
• HPV vaccine in a two-dose course. (Newington uptake last year was over 93%)

Vaccinations for Year 10 & 11 on June 5
NSW Health will be offering the new Meningococcal ACWY vaccine to all students in Y10 & 11

Consent forms will be handed out to Year 7 in Mentor time shortly and should be returned promptly.

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 sleep really helps the boys to cope with the demands of school and new friendships.

I have a small supply of spare uniform 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. Phone: 9568 9426, mobile 0407 004 738 or Email: mbates@newington.nsw.edu.au

Sister Margaret Bates
School Nurse