SUPERINTENDENT'S PERSPECTIVE

The DAA EXPO 2022 Is Now Open For Submissions!

The below website showcases the vision for the program, as well as the 360-degree services being offered to support university transition, careers, alumni and everything in-between:

https://www.gemsforlife.net

This is where the GEMS for Life journey begins – and we look forward to giving families and students of GEMS a world of lifelong advantages and lifestyle benefits that are unparalleled.

DAA is committed to providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all students. Some of our students have allergies and as a community we all need to be mindful and aware of food items prohibited at schools. Foods containing the below allergens should not be sent to school:

• Crustaceans and their products (prawns)

• Peanuts and their products

• Soybeans and their products

• Sesame seeds and their products

• Fish and fish products

Parents are responsible for providing accurate and up to date health and medical information related to their child’s allergens to the school medical team. The disclosure of any allergies should be done through the health form which can be located in the parent portal/school welcome pack. Should a student have an allergy an Individual Health Plan (IHP) is developed and this plan will need to be updated every year, or in response to any changes in treatment of the allergen.

Our medical team will contact the student's class teacher, section head and bus guardian (if a bus user) to provide them with the allergen information of the child and to advise the teacher not to allow the student to take part in any food-related tastings/activities.

Any food related activity will require written consent to allow a student to take part in a food-related activity. Details of the ingredients of all food items involved should be provided so that parents can review these and give their consent. Student identified as allergic to the food will be assigned an alternative activity for the duration of the activity/event.

Parents of students with allergies must provide properly labelled medications and replacement medications after use or expiration. Strategies designed to help the child with self-management of their food allergy should be discussed with the child regularly. It is important that a child can recognize the early signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and knows how to raise the alarm with a responsible adult. Parents and teachers alike should remind all students not to share foods to avoid any exposure to allergens.