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Click here to view the December 19 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

2024 Year Books available at the office for purchase for $24.00. Staff will be on site today, tomorrow and after January 13.

There has been a case of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) in your child’s school and your child may have been exposed. If your child has not had

Pertussis before it is quite likely that he/she could catch it.

What is Pertussis?

Pertussis is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by the germ Bordetella pertussis. Whooping cough spreads easily and can affect everyone but can be very serious in Babies, the elderly, pregnant women (especially in the third trimeter) and immunocompromised people. It is important to keep people with coughing symptoms away from babies so that they do not infect the baby with pertussis or other germs.

Pertussis usually starts with a runny nose, mild fever and cough.

The coughing can get worse causing vomiting, choking and gasping for air, creating a ‘whooping sound’.

Babies can get sick quickly. They may go blue or stop breathing during coughing episodes and may require a hospital visit.

Why should I be concerned about Pertussis?

Pertussis can spread rapidly through an infected person coughing or sneezing. It is very easy to give to others at the start of the illness.

Without treatment a person can pass pertussis on for up to three weeks. With the correct treatment of antibiotics the infectious period can be cut to five days.

Babies are at greatest risk of harm from pertussis as they have soft airways that are vulnerable to damage from the severe coughing bouts.

Older children and adults can still get pertussis. While not as dangerous as it is in small babies, it is still a distressing condition, with the cough lasting up to 3 months.

What should I do now?

If you or your child are experiencing any of the symptoms or feel unwell please see your GP immediately. Try to limit your contact with other people especially babies.

Symptoms usually develop 7 to 10 days after exposure, but can be up to 21 days. The infected person can spread infection for up to 3 weeks though post antibiotics 5 days.

For more information, please contact your child’s GP or public health and let them know that your child may have been exposed.

What should I do if I think my child has Pertussis?

Watch for symptoms of pertussis over the next 3 weeks. If you suspect Pertussis, contact your doctor to book an appointment as soon as possible, tell the surgery that you suspect pertussis as there has been contact with a confirmed case.

The doctor will take a nose and throat swab. Sometimes a blood test is also taken. The doctor may start antibiotics before test results are confirmed.

Immunisation against Pertussis can reduce the severity of the illness.

Immunisation are provided by your local doctor and some local councils.

Can my child stay in school?

Many children with Pertussis are not feeling well enough to attend school and are more comfortable at home. Children can spread the

Infection to others through coughing, sneezing and poor hand hygiene. Children with Pertussis should be excluded from school for five days after starting antibiotic treatment.

I am pregnant and have been exposed to a child with pertussis. What should I do?

If you have had recent contact with pertussis you should contact your GP, who may wish to do a blood test to check if you are immune.

A booster immunisation in the third trimester is safe and gives protection by passing the protection from mother to baby. This will protect the baby until up to six weeks of age.

Thank you for giving this your attention. Your GP or Public Health will be able to answer any further questions that you might have about pertussis.

Note to all parents and carers; ALL students present today will be given their reports to take home this afternoon.

27 November 2024

RE:  HHS ICT Acceptable Use Agreement

Dear Parent/Carer

At the beginning of each school year students/parents are required to complete and return the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement Form and the Device Loan Form.

Moving into 2025 we will not require this to occur.  Forms currently on file will apply until your child concludes their study at Huonville High School, or a revisiting of either form is required. 

If your child does not have the forms on file, you will be contacted.

These forms are very important as Huonville High School is a 1-to-1 environment so all students will need their assigned laptop (2-in-1 device) to support their learning.  There will not be any shared devices available except as a short loan if a student device has a warranty issue. 

If you do not agree to this process, please contact Janelle Reeves (janelle.reeves@decyp.tas.gov.au) or Angela Cooke (angela.cooke@decyp.tas.gov.au) for alternative arrangements.

Yours sincerely

Janelle Reeves                                                           Angela Cooke
Principal                                                                    Teacher, Manager ICT

Click here to view the November 22 Schoolzine eNewsletter!

Parents/Carers are reminded to return the consent form for this excursion no later than 9.00am tomorrow morning.

Click here to view the October 31 Schoolzine eNewsletter!