Health & Well-being

The school day involves lots of concentration and physical exertion so our students need plenty of nutritious food to get them through the day.  We encourage plenty of healthy food options in student lunch boxes to help them learn and perform their best.

Sandwiches, fruits, nuts, vegetables and dairy products provide sustained energy.  We suggest that processed foods be reserved for occasional special treats at home.

Water provides the best hydration for busy minds and water is only to be drunk at school by students please. Students need to bring a water bottle each day (please name) and this can be refilled at the water fountains situated around the school.
 

Adequate and good quality sleep are vital for every student regardless of age. Sleep requirements for children are:

• Go to bed at the same time every night.
• Establish a consistent bedtime routine. 
• Make your child’s bedroom a relaxed environment – cool, dark, and quiet. 
• Encourage your child to fall asleep independently. 
• Avoid bright light at bedtime and during the night, and increase light exposure in the morning. 
• Avoid heavy meals and vigorous exercise close to bedtime. 
• Keep all electronics, including televisions, computers, and cellphones out of the 
• bedroom and limit use of electronics before bedtime. 
• Avoid caffeine, including many sodas, coffee and tea.
• Keep a regular daily schedule, including consistent mealtimes. 

Good sleep is one of the three pillars of good health and well-being along with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

THREE ELEMENTS OF GOOD QUALITY SLEEP: 

1. Duration - The length of sleep should be sufficient for the sleeper to be rested and alert the following day. 

2. Continuity - Sleep periods should be seamless without fragmentation. 

3. Depth - Sleep should be deep enough to be restorative. 
 

It is important that we know of any problems your child may have and you are asked to supply relevant information at the enrolment. Other problems may develop from time to time and you are asked to notify the school.  We need to know if your child is / or has been suffering from earache or an ear infection.

This could affect their learning and consequently their performance at school may deteriorate. Likewise, if your child or another member of the family develops something contagious e.g. COVID-19, scabies, head lice, chickenpox etc, it is important that the school is notified as soon as possible.  Children who are considered infectious should be kept at home.  In the case of school sores, children can attend provided the sore is covered and the child is on medication.

Some children have allergies etc which may necessitate medicine or pills being at school.

These are kept in the office and you are asked:

• to sign a consent form
• to see that we have what is needed
• to ensure that medication is replaced regularly
• that we are notified of medication that is no longer required.

In cases where medication is required for only a short period, the Class Teacher needs to be notified.  This medication will then be stored in the secure cupboard/fridge. Medicine should be provided in its original container featuring the child’s name and the amount to be administered.  Medication should be accompanied by a note giving details of the time it is to be given and any special instructions.

Our sick bay is located in the administration block behind the office.  Should a child become ill at school, they must inform their teacher who may send them to the sick bay.  Their temperature will be taken and depending on the result and how they are feeling, their parent/caregiver may be contacted and they will be looked after in the sick bay until collection.  Sometimes and if symptoms are not too severe, a short rest or sleep in the sick bay may be sufficient and the student can return to class.

Children who are sick must be kept at home.  Besides being more comfortable for the child, spreading of illness is prevented.

If your child hurts themselves, they need to come to the office to be checked.  First aid will be administered. We are fortunate to have trained First Aid staff at school who deal with any first aid matters.  Contact with the home is made for serious injuries.

Please contact the office every day your child is not well enough to attend school.  This can be done by either:

• emailing [email protected]
• phoning the school office: 868 6504 and leave a message if necessary
• phoning or texting the school mobile:021 026 34461
• using the Skool Loop app absentee form 
• Using the report an absence form on this website
   

Your child is entitled to free oral health care until they turn 18.  The mobile dental clinic visits the school approximately every 12-18 months.  It parks at the school for 1 - 2 terms until the dental therapists have seen every student. The dental van will be based at our school sometime in 2021. Once dates are confirmed, these will be published in our newsletter.  

If you need to contact the clinic, please phone 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825 583) or the direct number for the van in our area - 021 356 297

Term 4 2020 - location of mobile dental van: Te Puru School - 507 Thames Coast Road, Thames 3575.

The Hearing and Vision Technician visits approximately twice a year and tests new entrants and Year 7 students. If at any time you feel your child needs to be referred, please contact the school.

There is also a free ear clinic based at the Thames Hospital, Mary Street entrance: Ear Clinic

The Waikato District Health Board provides health services to the school to promote and support health and wellbeing of the students. The school’s Public Health Nurse is Wendy King. She makes regular visits to the school.

Parents with health concerns about their child can contact Wendy directly by phone or text 021 341 845 or by email [email protected] 

If you need additional information regarding other social service agencies or your require  support e.g. mental health support, CAPS Hauraki Inc, Hauraki Child Abuse Prevention Society, Oranga Tamariki  please enquire at the school office in person or by phone or email.