Medical Matters
Kennedy School's Health Professional, Brigette Marcos, provides immediate medical care for students and staff. She also shares health information, updates student medical records, and offers advice on immunisations and government health schemes.
For medical inquiries, contact her at nurse@kennedy.edu.hk or 2579 5600.
If your child feels unwell, he/she should stay home to recuperate. An unwell child may have reduced focus and concentration and may be contagious.
If your child is absent, please email both your child's class teacher and nurse@kennedy.edu.hk to let them know.
It is vital for the school to have his/her most up-to-date medical background and needs. These can change during the year, so please keep the school updated on Gateway. Please refer to the guide below:
To ensure the health and safety of our school community, we ask parents and guardians to adhere to the guidelines below which are in line with the requirements set by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
Please notify the school immediately if your child is diagnosed with a communicable disease.
To protect students with severe nut allergies, please do not send any food containing nuts or nut products to school. This includes peanut butter and foods with hidden nut ingredients.
Students are not to share food in school.
Students with medical conditions requiring emergency medication are encouraged to store required medication in the school’s medical room.
The school does not prescribe or supply medication to students. Medications prescribed should be given at home whenever possible.
If a student needs to take medication during school hours, parents/ guardians are required to submit the Medical Authorisation Form and hand it to the school nurse together with the medication. Make sure the medication is clearly labelled with your child's name, class, dosage instructions, and reason for taking it.
Be aware that some medications, like antihistamines, can cause drowsiness. Your child might be more comfortable resting at home if they need this medication.
While there won't be a nurse on the camp, several staff members with First Aid certificates will be present to handle emergencies. The school nurse will remain in contact with staff to address any urgent medical situations.
Please ensure that all medical information in Gateway is up-to-date. This includes any allergies, daily medication needs, or special requirements. Any medication your child may need during the camp must be accompanied by a signed Medical Authorisation Form.
In case of an emergency, the school will prioritise contacting parents. If parents cannot be reached, emergency contacts authorised to make medical decisions should be listed in Gateway.
All medications, including daily and as-needed medications, must be handed to the nurse prior to the camp day. Children are not allowed to carry or self-administer medication. All medication should be in its original packaging, labelled with the child's name and class, and accompanied by a signed Medical Authorisation Form.
Kennedy School participates in the Government Immunisation Scheme annually. Immunisations are offered to specific year levels:
Year 1: MMRV and DTaP-IPV
Year 5 (Girls): HPV
Year 6: MMRV, Hepatitis B, and dTap-IPV
Application forms will be sent home closer to the immunisation dates. These forms must be returned to the child's teacher, even if you choose to refuse immunisation. Only children with a consent form on file will be immunised. Your child's original immunisation records are also required prior to immunisation.
On the day of immunisation, the Government Immunisation Team will verify each child's immunisation records (for those who have consented). The immunisations will be administered by the Government Immunisation Team, accompanied by the Kennedy School nurse.
Kennedy School participates in the Government Health and Dental Program annually. To enrol your child, complete and return the form sent home at the start of the school year. Late submissions will not be accepted. There is a cost for government Dental services while Government Health services are free. Appointment slips are distributed later in the academic year.
Kennedy School prioritises student safety by closely monitoring weather conditions and AQHI levels. When the AQHI reaches 8 or above, outdoor physical activity is limited to minimise exertion, with no running, ball games, or sports allowed. If the AQHI surpasses 10, all outdoor activities are cancelled. To further enhance safety measures, ESF utilises a "Playtime Alert Level Chart" that factors in temperature, humidity, and air quality. Staff are informed of specific precautions to implement based on the issued alert level.