• Health Information for Parents of Upper Primary Students

Health Information for Parents of Upper Primary Students

Download printable PDF if the 'Health information for parents and carers of upper primary children' brochure 

Your child will soon be a teenager, so now’s a good time to think about some important health issues.

School health services

Our School Health Nurses provide a health service at primary and secondary schools. 

 

If you have any concerns about your child’s health, you can contact the nurse through your school office.

Other people who may be able to help are:

Healthy lifestyle

  • Encourage children to keep physically active, choose healthy food, and get enough sleep. 
  • Eat dinner as a family to encourage good communication and connection. 
  • Your child should have a dental health check every year. Contact the school dental health service or a private dentist.

Good mental health

Good communication with your child is always the best way to promote mental and emotional health. If you have any concerns about your child, talk to your doctor, community school health nurse or school psychologist. Find out more about raising.children.net.au (external site).

Immunisations

With your consent, your child will be immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and human papillomavirus in Year 7, and meningococcal in Year 10. Find out more about the School-based Immunisation Program.

Puberty

Now is a good time to discuss physical and emotional changes with your child. We recommend Talk soon. Talk often. A guide for parents talking to their kids about relationships and sex (external site).

Schools usually teach students about growth and development during Years 5 and 6. Your child’s teacher can give you more information about these classes.

Scoliosis

This is an abnormal, sideways curvature of the spine. It can develop during early adolescence, usually between 10 and 13 years. Your school will give your child information about checking for scoliosis in Year 6, and you can find out more at raisingchildren.net.au. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or community school health nurse.

Vision

Take your child to your doctor* or an optometrist* if your child:

  • covers or closes one eye when reading
  • holds books very close
  • complains about eyestrain or headache
  • complains about double vision or blurred vision with reading or blackboard viewing
  • complains that words move on a page
  • loses place with reading, or skips words and lines
  • has a short attention span when reading
  • rubs their eyes a lot.

*Check with your doctor/optometrist about bulk billing.

Download printable PDF if the 'Health information for parents and carers of upper primary children' brochure

© State of Western Australia, Child and Adolescent Health Service
Produced by: Child and Adolescent Community Health  Reference: CAH-004300

Last Updated: 02/02/2024