The role of the school community in supporting student health

The material in this section of the website provides advice on a wide range of issues relating to student health in public schools. It is particularly relevant to school staff and parents.

The information is designed to assist in implementing the policy of the Department of Education and Training. For further information see: Student Health in Public Schools: A Summary and Consolidation of Policy.

Details on different topics can be found by following the links from this page.

The health of students is relevant to their learning and is important to schools. On health issues, the Department works in partnership with NSW Health.

Principals, staff, parents, health professionals and students all have a role to play in the effective support of students' health needs.

Public schools promote the healthy development of students through:

• learning in preschools, early intervention support classes and in the classroom K-Yr 6, Yrs 7-10, Yrs 11-12, particularly in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education
• school programs and practices that protect and promote health and safety
• supporting individual students who need help with health issues
• providing first aid and temporary care of students who become unwell or who have an accident at school.

Public schools also co-operate with NSW Health on Public Health Issues:

• for example, assisting with public health campaigns including immunisation
• responding to public health issues such as disease outbreaks.

The resource folder Physical as Anything has been provided to all schools. It contains information on a range of health conditions. Extra copies can be obtained from DET Sales.