Keeping Unwell Children at Home

When Should My Child Stay Home?

To help protect the health and wellbeing of our students, staff and wider community, we ask families to keep children at home when they are unwell or may have a contagious illness.

The following guidelines outline when your child should remain at home and when it is appropriate for them to return to school.

Cold and Flu Symptoms

If your child is showing signs of a cold or flu, including coughing, sore throat, fever, congestion or a runny nose, please keep them at home until they are well enough to participate comfortably in the school day and are no longer considered contagious.

Antibiotics

If your child has been prescribed antibiotics for a contagious illness, they must have been taking the medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school, unless otherwise advised by a medical professional.

Fever

If your child has a fever of 38°C or above, they should remain at home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

Communicable Illnesses

Please keep your child at home if they have been diagnosed with, or are experiencing symptoms of, a communicable illness. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Influenza (flu)
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Chickenpox
• Norovirus (vomiting and diarrhoea)
• Strep throat
• Rashes or other contagious skin conditions

Vomiting

If your child has vomited, they should remain at home for at least 24 hours after the last episode.

Diarrhoea

If your child has had diarrhoea, they should remain at home for at least 48 hours after the last episode.

When in Doubt, Keep Them Home

If your child is unwell, unusually tired, or not well enough to participate in their normal school activities, please keep them at home. This helps your child recover and reduces the risk of illness spreading throughout our community.

Children Going Home

If your child becomes unwell while at school, we will contact you or your nominated emergency contact and ask that arrangements are made for them to be collected as soon as possible. We ask that you sign them out at the School Office before going to their classroom.