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Click here to view the February 20 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Our teaching staff have put together information slides for each grade level to help provide families with important information about our school.  The slides include information relevant to each grade level such as specialist timetables, classroom expectations, and special activities that may be happening.  We encourage families to look at these slides as they will assist in answering many common questions about school life at St Ita's.

CLICK HERE to view the parent information presentations

Unfortunately due to the nasty weather conditions that have now descended upon Drouin, we are going to postpone our family picnic tonight.  We will reschedule for another evening that promises better weather conditions.

Click here to view the February 4 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Click here to view the December 6 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Click here to view the November 22 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Click here to view the November 8 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Click here to view the October 18 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

I am writing to all parents today to inform them of the current outbreak of Whooping Cough at St Itas.

It is vitally important that we monitor all students because if cases continue to rise there is the possibility of a school closure. The last thing we need is a school closure, so I am asking all parents to please be vigilent in relation to getting your child tested via a GP if they are displaying any cold or flu like symptoms.

If your child is tested for whooping cough please dont return them to school until you are informed by the health department or your GP that your child has not tested positive.

Any child who tests positive, please inform the school immediatly and follow the procedures set out via your GP.

WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH? Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is characterised by severe coughing fits that produce a "whooping" sound.

HOW IS IT SPREAD? Whooping cough spreads through droplets from coughing or sneezing from an infected person. It can also spread by coming into contact with surfaces contaminated with these droplets.

WHY SHOULD I BE WORRIED? Pertussis can affect people of all ages. However, young infants (especially those less than 6 months of age) are at increased risk of severe complications, including pneumonia, seizures, and even death. Being highly contagious, schools or groups of young children, who often cough & sneeze, can facilitate mass outbreaks – impacting children, and their direct and indirect contacts.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT? Vaccination is the most effective prevention method.
Free pertussis-containing vaccination is available for eligible people through the National Immunisation Program schedule, which include:
• infants at 2 (can be given from 6 weeks of age), 4 and 6 months of age
• children at 18 months and 4 years of age
• adolescents in Year 7 (or age equivalent)
• pregnant women in every pregnancy between 20 to 32 weeks gestation
• people under 20 years who did not receive pertussis-containing vaccination in childhood, where the vaccine was not given during childhood as catch-up vaccination
• refugees and humanitarian entrants aged 20 and over.
An adult pertussis-containing vaccine is also recommended for the following people if their last dose was more than 10 years ago:
• adults working with or caring for children, especially healthcare and childcare workers in contact with infants.
• women who recently gave birth and did not receive a pertussis-containing vaccine during pregnancy
• parents, guardians, or carers of infants aged less than 6 months
• adults 65 years of age and older as a single booster
• travellers.
Practising good hygiene and appropriate isolation measures from infected individuals also helps reduce the risk.
For information regarding childhood vaccination, please refer to the state-wide Maternal & Child Health Helpline - 13 22 29 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Gippsland Region Public Health Unit | e: GRPHU@lrh.com.au | w: lrh.com.au 2
To book a vaccination appointment, please refer to the CIRV Vaccine Portal. For Latrobe City, please contact the Latrobe City Council’s Immunisation Team on 1300 367 700.

WHAT IF A CHILD IS UNWELL?
Pertussis begins with symptoms similar to those of a cold (e.g., cough, tiredness, blocked or runny nose, low-grade fevers which may last for one to two weeks), with the cough usually worsening to include:
• Severe bouts of coughing
• Characteristic ‘whooping’ sound on breathing
• Vomiting at the end of a bout of coughing
If your child becomes symptomatic, please visit your GP for testing and advice on antibiotic treatment.
For a listing of Priority Primary Care Clinics and telehealth services specifically for the Gippsland region, refer to the Gippsland Primary Health Network - After-hours Services.
CAN A CHILD GO TO SCHOOL/CHILDCARE? For symptomatic children:
- Any symptomatic children must isolate and seek medical attention.
- Children diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school for:
a. 21 days after the onset of cough, or
b. Until they have completed 5 days of a course of appropriate antibiotic treatment.
This exclusion is required by law under the Public Health and Wellbeing legislation.
School exclusion requirements for close contacts not showing infectious symptoms:

RECEIVED THREE DOSES OF PERTUSSIS VACCINE
NOT RECEIVED THREE DOSES OF PERTUSSIS VACCINE
AGE: Less than 7 years
Can continue to go to school/childcare
If in the same room with a child diagnosed with whooping cough, will need to be excluded from school/childcare for:
a. 14 days after the last exposure to the infectious case
b. Or until they have taken the first 5 days of a course of effective antibiotic treatment
This exclusion is required by law under the Public Health and Wellbeing legislation.
AGE: 7 years and older
Can continue to go to school
Can continue to go to school
Reference: School exclusion table for primary schools and children's services
For more detailed information on pertussis, refer to the following resources:
• Better Health Channel - Pertussis (Whooping cough)
• Department of Health – Pertussis
• Australian Immunisation Handbook – Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine
For a pertussis factsheet available in other languages, refer to:
• Pertussis (whooping cough) Factsheet – Health Translations

Please find attached to this notification the handout for Pertussis_Whooping_Cough_Frequently_Asked_Questions_Primary_Schools_and_Childrens_Services_.2024.pdf

Regards
St Ita's Administration