School Nurses Association of NSW
An Invitation from the President. On behalf of the committee of the School Nurses Association of NSW, I take great pleasure in extending an invitation to all School Nurses to attend the annual conference, 2012. The theme of the conference is “A Sporting Chance” and as the name suggests, will be focusing on sporting issues and injuries that affect our school aged children. This conference aims to present the most up to date research on sporting injuries and their management as well as present a practical approach to management. The 2007-2008 ABS National Health Survey found that around 25% of Australian school aged children were overweight or obese (ABS- Perspectives on Sport, June 2010). The biggest concern is the long term consequences of childhood obesity and its persistence into adulthood. In recent years various government and non-government agencies have adopted health for life policies. Such programs include the Healthy Canteen Policy ( NSW DET), Jump rope for Heart (Heart Foundation), Go For Your Life (Victoria), Healthy Kids – eat well, get active (Live Life Well @ School, NSW Premier Sporting Challenge). Major retailers are also supporting healthy life- choices by offering dockets for sport programs. Our role as school nurses is one that is ever evolving. It is affected by education, budgets constraints, legislation and changes in an increasingly demanding society. Many schools have made sport compulsory, many are mandated to adopt the healthy schools policies introduced by governments and some schools have chosen to adopt a more active philosophy. Whatever the reason, school nurses are seeing and increasing number of sport related trauma as well as being expected to provide ongoing specialist care for sport injuries. The level of sporting prowess has increased and competition is becoming more intense. The need for constant and ongoing education around sporting health and injury prevention is never more evident than it is now. We have secured excellent local speakers who know and understand the situations we are experiencing – they are experiencing them too! We hope you take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy Sydney and its surrounds and our new venue, whilst expanding your professional knowledge base, acquiring new skills and networking amongst your peers. We look forward to seeing you in January 2011. Sue Peterie President |
