22 July 2016

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training

More school nurses supporting students

Thousands of Tasmanian students are now benefiting from the expertise and support of 15 new registered nurses, following the induction of the latest recruits.

Five new registered nurses began working in 21 schools across every region of our state on July 1, adding to the 10 nurses who started work in 41 schools a year ago.

This is the second and penultimate step in the Hodgman Liberal Government’s $5.8 million election commitment to reintroduce school nurses through the School Health Nurse Program.

We are on track to deliver on our long-term plan that will result in 20 registered nurses working in our schools by July 2017, supporting the health needs and education of students.

The latest recruits will support students at the following schools:

• Two new Secondary School Nurses in the North/North-West supporting: Devonport High School, Latrobe High School, Port Dalrymple School, Reece High School, Ulverstone High School, Deloraine High School, Exeter High School and Kings Meadows High School
• One new Primary School Nurse in the North supporting: Beaconsfield Primary School, Exeter Primary School, Perth Primary School, South Georgetown Primary School and St Leonards Primary School
• One new Secondary School Nurse in the South supporting: Clarence High School, Cosgrove High School and Huonville High School
• One new Primary School Nurse in the South supporting: Austins Ferry Primary School, Bowen Road Primary School, Fairview Primary School, Glenorchy Primary School and Goodwood Primary School.

School nurses help children in a number of areas such as mental health and well-being, body image and healthy relationships as well as the delivery of local, state and national health promotion initiatives.

The nurses are making a significant difference for Tasmania’s school children and creating an environment that promotes lifelong health and well-being.

This is just one of the many measures we have taken to improve education in Tasmania, and give children the best possible environment in which they can learn and grow.

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