Applecross Senior High School

P&C Meeting

Graham — 2013-04-15T00:57:00Z

Next meeting will be held on Monday 20th May @ 7.30pm in the staffroom.

Access from Links Rd.

All new parents are encouraged to attend.

April 2013

Graham — 2013-04-12T00:51:52Z

D Block (Design and Technology) was completed towards the end of 2012 and students were able to access the workshops as well as the photography, technical graphics and planning rooms, for the last two weeks of the school year. The automotive centre was internally refurbished and completed in time for the start of this school year. It is hoped that further work on refurbishing the exterior of the automotive facility will be undertaken towards the end of the building program. The Department of Education has equipped both facilities with new state-of-the-art machinery to ensure that the workshops are industry standard and capable of delivering a wide range of educational programs as well as Certificate Courses.

The southern wing is progressing with the roof structural framework and cladding due to be completed within the next few weeks. Once the building is enclosed the work of the trades involved with the interior spaces should escalate. The footings for the gymnasium, located at the eastern end of the southern wing, have been poured and it is expected that we will see rapid development as the tilt-up construction method progresses.

Headway is being made on the Visual Arts block and the gardener's compound which are located on the Ardessie Street side of the school site. The foundation work has been completed and the preparation and pouring of the concrete pads is currently underway. Both the Southern Wing and the Visual arts block are due to be completed and ready for occupation by the end of this school year.

In the meantime, the Schematic Design proposal to refurbish the existing science, library and surrounds for integrating future Year 7 facilities into Applecross SHS was approved by the Department of Education in January 1913 with instruction to proceed to Design Development. Consultation between DoE, BMW, AxSHS and the architects is ongoing. The Schematic Design promotes a dynamic connection between the Year 7 building and the refurbished H block with the colour and material palette taking a similar approach to interiors throughout the main building contract. It is anticipated that the facilities will be ready for the intake of Year 7 students at the beginning of the 2015 school year.

School Calendar

Graham — 2013-02-12T01:35:19Z

The 2013 Calendar of Events can be found in the NEWS tab.

December 2012

Graham — 2012-12-21T02:36:15Z

D Block (Design & Technology) is now complete and the school took possession of the building mid November. Additional equipment will arrive in January for the commencement of the 2013 school year and a number of the original jarrah work-benches will be refurbished during the summer break.

The construction of S Block (the southern wing which includes Administration, Library, Science, Health & Physical Education and Canteen) is well under way and with the demolition of the old Design & Technology/Performing Arts wing completed, we anticipate that work will soon commence on the Sports Hall and Visual Arts building.

As work progresses on S Block it will be business as usual for the school community. Both the Music and Drama/Dance departments have already moved to temporary accommodation in transportables on the northern side of the school. As the year progresses, more transportables will be brought on site in readiness for the refurbishment of the main section of the school which will commence later in 2013 and throughout 2014.

If you have any questions regarding the building project please contact Susan McGirr, Building Project Coordinator, by emailing the school on axshs.email@det.wa.edu.au

Graham — 2012-10-26T07:49:55Z

- Specialist Tennis

Graham — 2012-10-26T07:41:30Z

Background

Anaphylaxis is a severe, rapidly progressive allergic reaction that is potentially life threatening. The most common allergens in school aged children are peanuts, eggs, tree nuts (e.g. cashews), cow's milk, fish and shellfish, wheat, soy, sesame and certain insect stings (particularly bee stings).

The key to prevention of anaphylaxis in schools is knowledge of the student who has been diagnosed as at risk, awareness of allergens, and prevention of exposure to those allergens. Partnerships between schools and parents/guardians are important in helping the student avoid exposure.

Adrenaline given through an adrenaline autoinjector (such as an EpiPen® or Anapen®) into the muscle of the outer mid thigh is the most effective first aid treatment for anaphylaxis.

Purpose

• To provide, as far as practicable, a safe and supportive environment in which students at risk of anaphylaxis can participate equally in all aspects of the student's schooling.

• To raise awareness about anaphylaxis and the school's anaphylaxis management policy/guidelines in the school community.

• To engage with parents/guardians of each student at risk of anaphylaxis in assessing risks, developing risk minimisation strategies for the student.

• To ensure that staff have knowledge about allergies, anaphylaxis and the school's guidelines and procedures in responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

Individual Anaphylaxis Health Care Plans

The School Nurse will ensure that an Individual Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan is developed in consultation with the student's parents/guardians, for any student who has been diagnosed by a medical practitioner as being at risk of anaphylaxis.

The Individual Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan will be in place as soon as practicable after the student is enrolled and where possible before their first day of school.

The student's Individual Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan will be reviewed, in consultation with the student's parents/guardians:

• annually, and as applicable,

• if the student's condition changes,

• immediately after the student has an anaphylactic reaction.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to:

• provide an ASCIA Action Plan to the School Nurse, completed by the child's medical practitioner with a current photo,

• inform the School Nurse if their child's medical condition changes, and if relevant, provide an updated ASCIA Action Plan.

Communication

The School Nurse in liaison with the school Principal will provide information to all staff, students and parents/guardians about anaphylaxis. The School Bulletin will be used as a vehicle to communicate with parents.

The School Nurse will address students at year assemblies about the importance of washing hands, eating their own food and not sharing food.

Casual relief staff will be provided with anaphylaxis information in a communication file.

Staff training and emergency response

Teachers and other school staff receive regular training by the School Nurse. A medical alert list is distributed to all staff at the commencement of the year and is updated by the School Nurse as required.

During excursions, camps and special event days the supervising teacher has an individual health care plan for students identified at risk of anaphylaxis.

The school's first aid procedures and student's ASCIA Action Plan will be followed when responding to an anaphylactic reaction.

Risk Minimisation

The key to prevention of anaphylaxis is the identification of allergens and prevention of exposure to them. The school employs a range of practical prevention strategies to minimise exposure to known allergens:

In the classroom:

Teacher identifies students at risk in their classes.

Never give food from outside sources to a student who is at risk of anaphylaxis.

Be aware of the possibility of hidden allergens in food technology, science and art classes (e.g. egg or milk cartons).

In the canteen:

Canteen staff have an awareness of anaphylaxis and its implications on food handling.

The canteen does not stock peanut and tree nut products (including nut spreads)

Canteen staff are aware of the potential for cross contamination when storing, preparing, handling or displaying food.

Canteen staff ensure tables and surfaces are wiped clean regularly.

In the yard:

The student with anaphylactic responses to insects should wear shoes at all times and keep open drinks (e.g. drinks in cans) covered while outdoors.

Duty staff will provide an emergency response to an anaphylactic emergency and School Nurse/First Aid Officer contacted.

Adrenaline autoinjectors are located in various locations around the school.

For on-site activities:

Latex swimming caps should not be used by a student who is allergic to latex.

Staff must know where the adrenaline autoinjectors are located and how to access if required.

Staff should avoid using food in activities or games, including rewards.

For sporting carnivals, Health & Physical Education staff will have a adrenaline autoinjector available. If the weather is warm, the autoinjector should be stored in an esky to protect it from the heat. Student's have their own autoinjector on their person or in their bag.

For off-site activities:
When planning school excursions/camps/interstate/overseas trips, a risk management plan for the student at risk of anaphylaxis should be developed in consultation with parents/guardians and camp managers (as appropriate).

Campsites/accommodation providers and airlines should be advised in advance of any student with food allergies.

Staff should liaise with parents/guardians to develop alternative menus or allow students to bring their own meals.

Use of other substances containing allergens (e.g. soaps, lotions or sunscreens containing nut oils) should be avoided where possible.

The student's adrenaline autoinjector and ASCIA Action Plan and a mobile phone must be taken on the excursion/tour plus a spare autoinjector in the first aid kit.

Staff attending the excursion/camp/tour should update their training if required.

An emergency procedure that sets out clear roles and responsibilities in the event of an anaphylactic reaction must accompany the excursion proposal.

Be aware of what local emergency services are in the area and how to access them (as appropriate). Liaise with them before the camp.

The student's adrenaline autoinjector should remain close to the student at risk of anaphylaxis and staff must be aware of its location at all times. A spare may be carried in the school first aid kit,

The student with allergies to insect venoms should always wear closed shoes when outdoors.

Cooking and art and craft games should not involve the use of known allergens.

Consider the potential exposure to allergens when consuming food on buses/airlines and in cabins.

Graham — 2012-10-26T07:25:06Z

September 2012

Geraldine — 2012-09-18T07:36:21Z

D Block (Design & Technology) is now nearing completion and the school is anticipating taking possession of the building in mid November.

Meanwhile S Block (the southern wing which includes Administration, Library, Science, Health & Physical Education and Canteen) is on track with four sections of the ground floor slab in place.

Once we have vacated the old Design & Technology building these buildings will be demolished together with the Performing Arts Centre. This will allow for the new Sports Hall, Visual Arts block and Services Compound to commence in this area.

Due to the increased activity on the eastern end of the site, the Year 12 students will sit their end of year WACE exams in the air-conditioned demountables on the northern side of the school.

Term Dates

Graham — 2012-06-29T06:50:47Z

Term 2 concludes for students on Friday 5th July. Term 3 commences for students on Tuesday 23rd July. - News

June 2012

Graham — 2012-06-21T01:23:21Z

There has been a lot of activity on the two building sites since the last update. This has involved preparation of the sites for the laying and connection of in-ground services, the compaction of the foundations and the construction of the footings.

S Block - The footings, retaining walls and lift pit are in place and the site is currently being prepared in readiness for the ground floor slab to be poured. The building program is a little ahead of schedule

D Block - The in ground services are in place and the slab has been poured. The site is ready for the casting of the tilt up panels which form the walls of the building. Unfortunately the bad weather has held up the casting of the wall panels as this is done on top of the slab just prior to the lifting or tilt-up process. Good weather is critical to the forming and casting of the panels, however once the panels are cast the erection process is very quick. D block is currently behind schedule.