STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

School Social Worker

Kings Meadows High School has access to a School Social Worker.  Students within our school have diverse abilities and needs. School social work is driven by a deep belief that every person has the right to positive and successful learning experiences.

School Social workers facilitate students’ access to support and resources. They work at the interface between the student, school organisation and curriculum, peers, family, neighbourhood and wider society to promote participation and achievement.

School Social workers have professional skills and knowledge in many areas including:

  • Emergency financial assistance
  • Personal safety and wellbeing
  • Mental Health: depression, anxiety
  • Conflict resolution and restorative justice
  • Attendance and retention
  • Relationships, Grief and loss
  • Sexuality and  Sexual Health
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • Critical Incidents
  • Counselling

School Psychologist

School psychologists provide interventions for learning, engagement and positive student outcomes.
School psychologists are experts in mental health and learning in schools.

They provide services including:

  • Counselling, therapy and programs for students.
  • Assessments of developmental, cognitive and educational functioning to assist learning plans and educational adjustments for students.
  • Consultation and collaboration with schools, staff, parents and other professionals and organisations.
  • Promotion of the Department’s values of Equity and Excellence through building capacity in our schools through professional learning.
  • Leadership, advice and support in response to crises and critical incidents that impact upon students, families and school communities.
  • Creation of Respectful and Collaborative Relationships within school communities.
  • Identification of needs and program development for assisting school improvement and wellbeing in schools and across the Learning Service. 

School Nurse

School health nurses work collaboratively with the support teams of both primary and secondary schools and the Tasmanian Health Service.

School health nurses support schools to create a physical and social environment that promotes health and wellbeing, and assists to improve the health and education outcomes for children and young people in Tasmania.

The focus for Secondary Schools:

  • Promotion of good health and wellbeing.
  • Targeted vision and hearing checks.
  • Local, state and national health promotion initiatives.
  • Health education aligned with the Australian Curriculum including sexual health and healthy relationships, addictions and risk behaviours including drug and alcohol, resilience and mental health, body esteem, physical activity and nutrition.
  • Positive parenting for teenagers with babies.
  • Assisting schools with the management of complex medical conditions.
  • Addressing any medical issues that may be impacting learning.
  • Drop in clinics for students to empower their health choices.

Chaplain

Kings Meadows High School is part of the National School Chaplaincy Program. School chaplains support the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community.

Some of the things chaplains do include:

  • Providing students and families with support and referrals in times of crisis
  • Assist with the running of breakfast clubs
  • Developing leadership and support programs for students
  • Participating in school activities such as sport, camps and gardens.

Chaplains do not talk to students about religion, unless the student requests them to.

LEARNING SUPPORT

Kings Meadows High School is committed to providing an inclusive education for all students, including those who require educational adjustments. To support these students, the school offers a range of programs, services and differentiated teacher practices that are tailored to meet students’ individual needs. This includes access to specialist teachers, support staff, and resources such as assistive technology and adapted learning materials. The school also works closely with families, carers, and external agencies to ensure that students are receiving the best possible support. Additionally, the school has a strong focus on building an inclusive culture where all students feel valued and included, with a range of initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and inclusivity within the school community. Through these measures, Kings Meadows High School is able to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, regardless of their individual needs and circumstances.

MEDICAL

If your child requires medication whilst they are at school, you must advise the school administration or principal to ensure that the school staff are clearly informed of requirements for medication.

Medication should only be prescribed during school hours when absolutely necessary.

Self-administration of some medication (e.g. Ventolin, EpiPens and insulin) may be authorised by a parent and/or a doctor. In accordance with the poisons act, students under 13 should not be self-administering medication unless stated in the medical action and management plan.

You must provide permission, for any non-prescribed or prescribed medication required to be taken by your child at school.

The school will ask you to:

  • Complete a written request to the school to administer the medication. Click here for the Tasmanian Department's website where you can download the form
  • Provide signed authorisation from your medical practitioner/pharmacist or nurse giving specific instructions for the administration of the medication.
  • Transfer the medication safely to the school.
  • Provide the medication in the originally prescribed containers only.
  • Help prepare a Medical Action Plan for your child if required.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW INFORMATION ON MEDICATION IN TASMANIAN SCHOOLS

NUT AWARE SCHOOL

Kings Meadow High School is a “Nut Aware” school and as such we request parents, students and staff to not bring lunches or snacks that may contain nuts as there are several students enrolled who have a severe allergy to nuts, especially peanuts. If these students come into contact with peanuts, or any food products that contain nuts they will suffer a severe anaphylactic shock requiring urgent medical treatment.