Health and Safety

At St Thomas the Apostle we believe learning to behave safely is an important aspect of a child's learning development.  Therefore our rules for student behaviour in the classroom, on the playground and travelling to or from school are framed around the desire to provide a safe environment for all students at school and on the way to and home from school.
Refer to Student Welfare and Management for more information.

Travel to and from school -
Bikes - Students riding bikes to and from school are required to follow the ACT law regarding use of roads, bike paths and the wearing of helmets.  We strongly recommend that you provide you child with a secure locking device for their bike.  We have a designated insecure bike rack area which is adjacent to classrooms.  Students may not ride bikes in the school playground at any time during the school day - they are to walk their bikes to the racks once they have arrived on the school grounds.  This rule also applies to those who ride scooters to school.

Buses - The school is served by several buses and information on these is published by ACTION in the local press before school commences.  Students are expected to behave safely on the buses and act respectfully to the driver and other bus users.  Consequences for breaking rules for safe bus travel are the same as those for other school rules.  Please make sure your child has the correct bus fare or ticket each day.

Cars - Many students are transported to school by car and for their safety you are asked to be very careful in the school carpark area.  TREAT EVERY CHILD AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN!
We ask that you observe the designated parking and flow through areas.  There are two crossings which are patrolled by staff before and after school and you are asked to obey their instructions regarding moving across the crossings.
**Please note there is no parking at the tuckshop end of the building.

Walking - Wherever possible teach your child to use underpasses and footpaths to reach school.  There is a flagged crossing in Barritt Street and responsibility for putting up the flags each morning and taking them down each evening is shared by our school parents.  When it is St Thomas' year we ask for a local parent to assist with this extremely important duty.  This request will be made through the newsletter.

Fire Drill and Evacuation Procedure - The school has an evacuation procedure and the designated evacuation routes are displayed in all rooms.  Children will partake in practice of evacuation procedures early in the year.  If you are in a classroom when a fire alarm or drill takes place please follow classroom procedure, otherwise follow the evacuation route displayed in the room you are visiting.  Green EXIT signs are positioned in accordance with ACT fire safety requirements.

Dogs - Dogs on a busy, noisy playground pose a very real risk to the safety of students.  ALL dogs on the school grounds will be confined to the internal garden area for that school day.  If they do not belong to a school family or are not known to a school family the pound will be notified to collect them.  Dogs should not be brought to school as "show and tell" items as unpredictable behaviour and the possibility of allergic reaction in students make them a safety risk.

Health -
Children with Special Needs - If your child has a health condition which would require specific and urgent treatment at school, please supply the school with a letter describing the condition clearly and the steps to be taken to assist the child.  A recent photo of the child should be attached for ease of identification by all staff.

Accidents - The front office staff hold current First Aid certificates.  All staff are inserviced in basic first aid techniques.  Accidents which occur at school are treated by qualified staff and if necessary parents are notified to collect children for medical care.  In case of a serious accident an ambulance will be called.

Communicable Diseases - The school adheres to ACT government health regulations regarding periods of exclusion and conditions for return to school.

Head Lice - The school adheres to ACT government health regulations regarding cases of and treatment of head lice.  Parents are asked to notify the school if their child is found to have head lice.  When a child in a class has head lice, parents of all members of that class are notified by letter indicating how to identify and treat them.

Immunisation Program - The school provides facilities for community health workers to administer immunisations as per the ACT government's schedule.  Parents are advised when these group immunisations are to take place and will be required to fill in appropriate permission and information forms.

Insurance - The school carries public liability insurance which in reality only covers the most serious of accidents.   For a more comprehensive coverage the school advises that parents take out an individual school insurance policy for their children.  

St Thomas the Apostle Primary School, Boddington Crescent Kambah ACT 2902 | Ph 02 6231 4144 | Fax 02 6296 2621
For comments and corrections on this page email: The Office or phone 02 6231 4144
[copyright] [privacy] [disclaimer] Last updated June 27, 2007 URL http:// www.sttap.cg.catholic.edu.au
Canberra Goulburn Catholic Education Office