Asthma Friendly Schools Program (PDF)
Facts about Asthma:
· One in nine Australian children have asthma
· Asthma is one of the most common reasons for hospital admissions in children
· Every week an average of eight Australians die from asthma
· Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism
· Asthma can result in lethargy, tiredness, reduced motivation and inability to concentrate
· People can have their FIRST asthma attack at any age, and this could happen while they are at school
The Asthma Friendly Schools program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and is a national initiative aimed at all kindergarten, primary and secondary schools across Australia, targeting school students, school staff and parents/carers.
The Asthma Friendly Schools (AFS) program aims to:
· Improve self-management skills in those students with asthma to enable them to participate fully in daily activities including regular exercise and sport;
· Increase awareness of asthma among the whole student population, their parents/carers and school staff in order to create safer, healthier and more supportive school environments for students with asthma;
· Improve the ability of schools and staff to fulfil their duty of care obligations to those students with asthma; and
· Fit seamlessly into the health curriculum of primary and secondary schools throughout Australia.
Most schools already have several criteria in place as part of their health care planning and find it straight forward to address the remaining criteria. Presently in WA more than 88% of schools are registered in the program and 56% have achieved recognition as Asthma Friendly Schools.
Schools enrolling in the Program will receive:
· Free asthma education session for staff;
· Free asthma first aid posters;
· Free primary/secondary DVD teaching resource and lesson plans;
· When a school becomes recognised as Asthma Friendly they also receive a certificate, AFS window sticker and a complimentary bum bag and spacer.
An Asthma Friendly school adopts the Asthma Friendly Schools (AFS) program strategies to support the whole school community in understanding and managing asthma. To be recognised as an Asthma Friendly School, a school must address and satisfy a set of six essential criteria that establish a safe and supportive environment for students (and teachers) with asthma.
Six essential criteria of an Asthma Friendly School:
1. Asthma education is provided for all school staff;
2. An asthma record for each student with asthma is actively encouraged and kept in a central location;
3. Asthma First Aid posters are on display;
4. Students with asthma are encouraged to have their medications readily accessible at all times
5. The school has at least two asthma emergency kits available for emergency use
6. A plan is in place for managing asthma during school sporting activities, excursions and camps.
Schools can register their interest in the program simply by contacting the Asthma Foundation WA on 9289 3600 or email afs@asthmawa.org.au. To be recognised as ‘Asthma Friendly’ a school must achieve the six essential criteria and submit a WA Asthma Friendly School Recognition Checklist signed by the Principal.