Schools

Asthma Friendly Schools

Asthma Friendly Schools is a program initiative of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand. It is implemented and funded in the Canterbury region by Asthma Canterbury. It is aimed at all primary, intermediate and secondary schools in the Canterbury region.

Why become an Asthma Friendly School?

1 in 4 children in New Zealand have asthma
Asthma is a leading cause of school absenteeism
Asthma can lead to lethargic, tired children who find it hard to concentrate in class
Asthma is one of the leading causes for hospital admission in children

What is an Asthma Friendly School?

The aim of the Asthma Friendly School program is provide a supportive environment to improve the well being of children with asthma. A school that is asthma friendly takes a whole school approach, adopting the strategies of the Asthma Friendly Schools program to understand and manage asthma.

Asthma Friendly Schools Criteria

To become an Asthma Friendly School, five essential criteria need to be met:

Five Essential Criteria:

School asthma policy: including a plan for managing asthma during sporting activities, trips and camps. Asthma Canterbury has a suggested policy on asthma that schools can use to help with formulation of their own policy.
Identification of children with asthma on enrolment.
24hr smokefree school.
School staff asthma education: a free 1 hour session for school staff delivered by an asthma educator.
Asthma emergency kit: free from Asthma Canterbury (usually approx $40.00).

Recommended Criteria:

Stop, Take, Tell: a 30 minute student asthma education session for Yr 2-4 focusing on peer awareness - supported by class and/or homework activities.
Display of Asthma First Aid Poster: free from Asthma Canterbury.

How to become an Asthma Friendly School

As a first step to meeting the five essential criteria, book a staff education session by an asthma educator. This is a one hour session that covers understanding asthma, recognizing an asthma attack, asthma first aid, and Asthma Friendly Schools. Staff education request form for 2009.
Book a STOP, TAKE, TELL session for Yr 2 -4 children (a recommended criteria). This is a free 30 minute session focusing on peer awareness delivered by an asthma educator and aided by our friendly scarecrow Patch. STOP, TAKE, TELL session request form for 2009.
Undertake renewal of recognition every 3 years to maintain Asthma Friendly School status.

On completion of the five essential criteria, an Asthma Friendly Schools Certificate will be awarded which is valid for 3 years.

Any queries, contact the Asthma Canterbury Schools Coordinator:

Sandra Hamilton

sandra@asthmacanty.org.nz

Ph: 3665235

Fax: 3665209