School

Jane - 30 - NSW

My daughter has had diabetes since she was three, and has been quite stable for the past 6 years! However she does have rare occasions at school when I need to go and give her a needle because she has gone reallyh. Should we be keeping a needle in the office for times like this???? I still get nervous when I leave town for a day wondering what would happen if I couldn't get to her if needed!

Diane - 36 - NSW

My daughter is 6 and suffers from Type 1 Diabetes. I am having issues at my daughter's school about her injections. I work full time and cannot take time off work to get to the school to administer her insulin. She was on Novorapid till 6 wks ago but she is now on Actrapid which has caused the issue. Please help me!!

Dane - 10 - NSW

I am writing on behalf of Dane to find out how to get another school information pack sent to me. I cant find any contact phone numbers or email address to write to for the pack. I know you can download it but I would prefer to have it mailed out to me.

Tarlee - 11 - NSW

My daughter is sitting for some tests at school at the moment and if her levels are not right she seems not to be able to concentrate as well. What can I do to help her and are there any kind of allowances that I should ask for her at the school?

Lisa - - QLD

Our daughter is 6 and has type 1 diabetes for about 7 months now. I have struggled this year for her to be able to start Year 1 at an independent school in a safe environment. The teacher has responded extremely well to the challenge and our daughter is enjoying school. We are concerned though that our advice on treating a hypo immediately in the classroom/playground seems to not be followed. The school nurse is called and then a long walk back to the office is made before treatment is commenced. I have printed out more information about treating hypoglycaemia from your website as a revision. We have spoken to our daughter and told her to try to speak up and have her jelly beans straight away as she has them on her at all times. She is very aware and is able to treat herself with supervision at home. It is scary for our daughter and us when this happens. Are we being reasonable? Thankyou

Stephanie - 13 - NSW

I have a real problem with hypos sometimes at the end of school and I want to know about bus passes. My school said I can’t get one as I am just within the 1 km limit. I put in an application last term but got no reply. Who do I need to talk to as at times I’m in no fit state to walk home? I am type 1 and now on a new regime. Can you give me some info?

Denise - 12 - NSW

My daughter is 12 and attends a K-12 school where she has just started in Year 7.Last year a girl in her class who used to be her friend, started to bully my daughter about her diabetes. This girl is very loud to get her point across and has alienated other girls in the form. My daughter got permission from school to take in her video and other information to give a class talk. This seemed to work on the majority of her class who seemed very interested in the topic. This year has started out the same....the girl continues to be very loud and is still causing trouble for my daughter who is coming home upset even after being able to move classes to get away from the bullies. What would you suggest I do? The school is very approachable, especially regarding the diabetes. Do I contact the teacher/principal or see how things are handled within the class first? It is very upsetting for my daughter as some of her other so called friends are not siding with the loud girl. Thanks

Gayle - - WA

I have a 4 year old son who will be starting kindy soon and I'm very worried and can't find anyone to talk to about it. He already goes to day care and that doesn't worry me so much because they feed him there and have all different types of food on hand, so they can treat a hypo if necessary. What I'm concerned about with kindy is what food should I pack for him? How much? How do I make sure that the teachers give him the right amount at the right time and also not eat another child’s food? We already had a problem at day care where they would make cookies and other sweet stuff and let the children eat them - the carers at the time thought it was ok, one whole cup of sugar shouldn't harm him they said. Anyway I just need to know where to go to find the right info, please help.

Nicky - 15 - NSW

My principal at school got angry with me when I was at the office having a hypo. She didn’t know how to deal with someone who has diabetes. Should all teachers be aware of what happens when you are a diabetic?

Laura - 15 - NSW

Hi, this year I am doing my school certificate and my mum was interested in knowing if you have to contact the board of studies (I think that’s what she said it was called) to let them know about me having diabetes. She also mentioned something about filling out a form and the teachers letting me have some extra time if I have any hypos during the exam. I think she would just like to know as much as possible about handling it during the HSC and school certificates but mainly what I just mentioned. Thanks P.S. thank you very much for answering my questions before. Those questions had been on my mind for a while and if this web site wasn’t here then I don’t know who I would have asked. You guys are doing such a great job.

Pam - Old! - NSW

My son, 11, has just started on lunchtime insulin at school – what is the legal responsibility of this school re supervision and checking doses with him? Is he obliged to go to the sick bay to give insulin in a pen, with needle left attached?

Jessica - 9 - VIC

Hey I’m Jess, people in my year always tease me about what I eat and when they pack something that I can’t eat they say mmm this is so good and they call me diabetes girl

Liza - 33 - NSW

As a mum of a nine year old boy diagnosed nearly three years ago I have found a constant struggle in dealing with the school in general, despite a much appreciated visit from a paediatric educator. Basically I have had to learn how to approach different aspects of reluctance with each new teacher which does not seem to do much for my child's self esteem or feeling of security (or mine for that matter!). This has been a particularly difficult year with a particularly difficult teacher. This is also evident in my son's academic performance and diminishing love of school. I am seeing a defeatist attitude in an extremely bright and enigmatic child and this is breaking my heart. What can be done to eliminate the grey areas in diabetes management within the school environment, as it seems that there is a difference between schools and teachers. It is a pity that my son's wellbeing while at school depends on whether the teacher is willing to embrace the situation or perceive it as disruptive to her day. This is a child's life we are talking about!!!