By Dr Miriam Blashki
We are well into the swing of Term 1 back at school and a lot of us are finding ourselves back in the routine of packing lunches, helping with homework, and managing the whirlwind of extracurricular activities. Amidst the excitement, it’s crucial not to overlook the health and well-being of your child. In this blog post, we’ll cover essential back-to-school topics, including Year 7 immunisations, asthma and allergy plans, health checks, healthy lunch ideas, and strategies to manage the overwhelm of too many extracurricular activities.
- Year 7 Immunisations
Starting high school is a significant milestone, and along with it comes the opportunity for important vaccinations. Ensure that your child is up-to-date with their immunisations, including any recommended for their age group. These vaccinations not only protect your child but contribute to the overall health of the school community.
Most schools offer vaccination clinics, however, if your child would prefer a calm environment away from the drama of mass teenage immunisations, bring them to Honeycomb Health.
For immunisations that appear on the Australian Schedule, we offer bulk billed immunisation only appointments. These include Year 7 immunisations Gardasil (HPV) and Boostrix or Adacel (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis) https://www.health.vic.gov.au/immunisation/immunisation-schedule-and-vaccine-eligibility-criteria
- Asthma and Allergy Plans
For parents of children with asthma or allergies, it’s crucial to collaborate with the school to create a comprehensive asthma or allergy management plan. Schedule a meeting with one of our doctors to review your child’s specific needs, emergency protocols, and the location of any necessary medications. This proactive approach can help prevent and manage potential health issues during the school year.
The most common plans that we do are, allergy, anaphylaxis and asthma. If you would like to prefill the form with your child’s details, please see the links to the action plan forms below. Once your form is completed, you can then send it to reception@honeycombhealth.com.au prior to your appointment. Don’t worry if you can’t fill the form out in advance, we always have access to the plans and can easily print them out in colour for your school on the day of your appointment.
Anaphylaxis: https://www.allergy.org.au/images/stories/anaphylaxis/2023/ASCIA_Action_Plan_Anaphylaxis_Red_General_2023.pdf
- Health Checks
Is your child starting kindergarten? At Honeycomb Health, we believe in proactive health care. If your child is over 3 and under 5, there is a Healthy Kids Check for children. We can link this in with 4-year-old immunisations or they can be done as a stand-alone appointment. These ensure that any potential health concerns are addressed early on; and provide the opportunity to discuss any physical or emotional changes your child may be experiencing. Allowing for a more comprehensive approach to their healthcare. Ways to book can be found here.
- Healthy Lunch Ideas
A well-balanced diet plays a crucial role in your child’s overall health and academic performance. By bringing your kids into the discussion around how to create an enjoyable and nutritious lunch box, you can minimise your own workload by giving them age-appropriate autonomy over what they eat and how to prepare it. Meals and lunch boxes are a constant source of overwhelm and stress for many parents, but our wonderful dieticians who consult at Honeycomb Health often share wonderful resources and are a fantastic source of evidence-based support. See their links below for more great tips:
Everyday Nutrition
https://everydaynutrition.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthdietitian/
And
Food For Thought
https://www.rachelleopie.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/foodforthought_dietitian/
- Managing Overwhelm
There can be many pressure points for families throughout a child’s school journey, from starting kindergarten through to VCE. If you or your child are struggling, take action early. there are often ways that we, as your GP, can support you and often prevent family dynamics from deteriorating. Both myself (Dr Miriam) and Dr Ingrid are experienced GPs who have first-hand understanding of the reality of living with school aged family members.
As you manage the back-to-school season, prioritise your family’s health and well-being. From immunisations to managing mental health and nurturing healthy habits, taking a proactive approach sets you all up for a positive year.
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