School health nurse
Queensland Health employs School Based Youth Health Nurses (SBYHN) who work in secondary schools across Queensland. These nurses focus on preventative health for young people and provide:
confidential health service
health information to students, teachers and the school community
intervention and links to other services as required.
SBYHNs are not employed to administer medications, deliver health procedures or provide routine first aid. Queensland state schools offer these services via other staff members.
How the SBYHN can support your teenager
Confidential student appointments
Your teenager can make an appointment with the SBYHN to discuss any questions they have about their health. These appointments are confidential, and the nurse will not share any information without the student’s consent unless there is a risk to the student’s health in not sharing this information with others. In most cases, it is best for young people to talk to their parents about health and wellbeing issues. The SBYHN can support young people to do this.
Individual health consultations may include:
early detection of actual or potential health problems
providing information, options or referrals regarding relevant health services to provide them with further assessment, treatment or support
providing brief interventions and/or referrals as appropriate.
Some of the main issues for which young people access a SBYHN are mental health, including social and emotional wellbeing, relationships, stress, eating issues, sexual and reproductive health, drugs (including tobacco and alcohol) and growth and development.
Where possible and with the young person’s consent, the school may establish a team approach with Education Queensland school support staff to address the health needs of the young person.
Chaplain
Yarraman State School provides a chaplain’s room where students can come to play board games with the chaplain and other students. There, they can find an adult’s friendly, listening ear, in a supportive atmosphere.
The chaplaincy program involves:
assisting, as a teacher aide, during classroom time, to get alongside students and to help them in their learning
relating with teachers at staff meetings, morning teas and social functionselating with teachers at staff meetings, morning teas and social functions
mixing with parents at P&C meetings, coffee afternoons and sporting events
developing opportunities for students to express themselves in ethical matters, or spiritual matters (where parental permission has been granted)
developing and promoting a SUPA Club (a Bible-based program) for interested students whose parents have given permission for their involvement
connecting with local churches and community organisations with the aim of informing them of chaplaincy activities and gaining their support
communicating with the school community through regular school newsletters
organising and attending activities, such as sausage sizzles and an annual fundraising dinner
being involved in holiday activities such as camps organised through Scripture union.