– with a staff of 11 nurses . The nurses provide 24-hour medical support on a roster basis , for the boarders and the general Scotch community .
I also manage a Sport First Aid team for Saturday sport and special events like the Cordner-Eggleston Cup and Family Day , and I provide offsite medical support for trips and excursions , including attending cadet camps and Years 7 and 8 camps , and arranging staff to attend all Junior School camps .
I am involved in assisting OSCA for events where medical support may be required ; and I coordinate and assist with flu vaccines and student immunisation programs .
Interview : KIM STEVENS
Health Services and Nursing Manager
Where did you work before coming to Scotch ?
I was a Melbourne-trained registered nurse , and spent most of my career in general areas of nursing , choosing mainly to work in oncology , high dependency and emergency departments at the Mercy Hospital for Women , Cabrini Malvern and Monash Health in Clayton .
Due to family circumstances , I sought a career change to move away from shift work . The opportunity arose to work at Mount Waverley Secondary College as a school nurse . It was the most amazing and fulfilling role I had ever worked in – such a different focus to be dealing with well young people ! The focus of my role became maintaining health , not curing illness .
A conference for school nurses was held annually through the Victorian School Nurses Special Interest Group , and in 2010 it was held at Scotch College . The introduction to working at Scotch was made , and shortly afterwards an opportunity presented itself to work in the boarding precinct .
What are your roles at Scotch ? I have several primary roles . I manage the three first aid areas – in the Junior School , the Senior School and the boarding houses
What have been some of the challenges you have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic ?
The biggest challenge during COVID-19 was the uncertainty of the impact it would have on our community , followed closely by the difficulty in sourcing personal protective equipment such as gloves , masks and sanitiser to protect staff from this unknown challenge .
Sadly , some Scotch staff lost family members to COVID-19 , both in Australia and overseas , and it was a very stressful time for a lot of people . The Health Centre team was able to stay on site ( on a reduced roster ) to provide support to our community . Early in 2020 , temperature screening provided an opportunity for a much-needed casual conversation , beginning with ‘ How are you today ?’
The challenges are continuing in 2021 with the threat of rolling lockdowns , students unable to travel back to school ( or back home ), and whether or not camps can take place . The dilemma of ‘ to wear or not to wear a mask ’ is constant .
I am thankful to the Health Centre team members , who have remained so positive throughout the pandemic . With sadness we had to say goodbye to our casual workforce , but they found valuable roles within the ‘ COVID-19 Surge Workforce ’. Unfortunately the Department of Health and Human Services will not allow them to work in other areas , however I was able to see them in action while visiting the COVID-19 testing sites with students .
What is your favourite corner of the School ?
There is a park bench near the Boarding Health Centre , surrounded by gardens and trees , which is like a secret garden . I sit in this very tranquil space to gather thoughts , take time to breathe , and relax before the next task or meeting commences . It is also a lovely spot to have lunch on a sunny spring or summer day . The Scotch Grounds staff look after so many garden areas that would rival the Royal Botanic Gardens , and there are many lovely places to relax and unwind .
What do you do to relax , away from Scotch ? Outside of Scotch I enjoy spending time with my three children , and visiting family in country Victoria and southern New South Wales . During school holidays there is always a bush camping adventure and a lot of cooking . Each holiday I make a plan to put my hoarded craft supplies to good use , which includes making wheat bags for the Health Centre . A long-term goal is to learn how to use a spinning wheel and to knit with my own wool .
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 39