Head Lice Policy
How St Mary's College manages head lice: weekly checking at home, notifying the school, class alerts, treatment and when your child can return to school.
Head lice are a normal part of school life. They are not a sign of poor hygiene and do not carry disease. This policy sets out what we ask of families, what the College does when a case is reported, and how quickly your child can return to class.
Purpose
To minimise the spread of head lice within the College community by promoting regular checking at home, prompt treatment and clear, respectful communication, consistent with Victorian Department of Health guidance and the Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations.
Scope
This policy applies to all students Prep to Year 12, their families, and all staff. It also applies to Wattle Creek OSHC, which follows the same procedures for children in before- and after-school care.
Policy statement
- Head lice are managed as a shared responsibility. Families check and treat; the College informs and supports.
- A student with head lice may return to school as soon as effective treatment has commenced. If treated in the morning, the student may attend the same day. Students are never excluded beyond the start of treatment.
- The College does not identify any child in communications about head lice.
- Staff do not inspect a student's head without written parental consent. The Head Lice Inspection Consent is collected at enrolment and can be updated in Parent Portal > Consents.
- Hats are never shared between students, and hair below the collar is tied back in line with the Uniform & Grooming Policy.
Procedures
Weekly checking at home
Families are asked to check every child's hair once a week using the conditioner and comb method:
- Apply plenty of hair conditioner to dry hair and comb through with an ordinary comb to remove tangles.
- Using a fine-toothed lice comb, comb from the scalp to the ends in sections.
- Wipe the comb on a white tissue after each stroke and check for lice or eggs.
- Repeat every second day until no lice are found for 10 consecutive days.
If you find head lice
| Step | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
| Treat with a registered product or the conditioner and comb method | Parents | Same day |
| Notify the College via the Parent Portal (Absences > Notes) or phone the office on (03) 9555 0100 | Parents | Same day |
| Send a Head Lice Alert to the class or homeroom via the Portal, with no child named | Class teacher / homeroom teacher | Within one school day |
| Re-treat to catch newly hatched eggs | Parents | 7 days after first treatment |
| Confirm treatment on the Portal note when your child returns | Parents | On return |
Class alerts
When two or more cases are reported in the same class within a fortnight, the Head of Junior School (Ms Priya Natarajan) or Head of Senior School (Mr Tom Brennan) sends a further notice asking all families to check that weekend. Repeated cases in a class may prompt a reminder in the newsletter.
At school
If a teacher notices live lice on a student, the student is not sent home. The office contacts a parent by phone or Portal message so treatment can begin that evening, and the student continues the day normally. Where consent is held, the first aid officer may check privately to confirm.
Responsibilities
Parents and carers
- Check your child's hair weekly and always after a class alert.
- Treat promptly, notify the College the same day and re-treat after 7 days.
- Ensure long hair is tied back for school every day.
Students
- Keep long hair tied back and avoid sharing hats, brushes and hair ties.
- Tell a teacher or parent if your head is itchy.
Staff
- Send Head Lice Alerts within one school day of a report, without naming any child.
- Handle every case discreetly and respectfully.
- Record reports in the health register held at the Junior and Senior offices.
Related documents
- Uniform & Grooming Policy
- Medication & First Aid Policy
- Attendance Policy
- Medical Forms and Health
- Parent Portal Guide
Review
Policy owner: Deputy Principal – Wellbeing & Mission. Approved by the College Leadership Team February 2026; ratified by the College Advisory Council; next review February 2028.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child have to stay home if they have head lice?
No. Your child can return to school as soon as treatment has started. If you treat in the morning before school, your child can attend that day.
Will the school tell other parents that my child had head lice?
No. The class alert simply says a case has been reported in the class and asks all families to check. No child is named, and staff do not discuss individual cases.
Can the school check my child's hair?
Only with your written consent, which most families give on the enrolment forms. You can check or change the Head Lice Inspection Consent in Parent Portal > Consents.
Does my child's hat contribute to spreading lice?
Lice spread by head-to-head contact, not by hats. We still ask that hats are named and never shared, and that hats are stored in the child's own bag rather than in a shared tub.
Do I need to treat the whole family?
Check everyone in the household. Only treat people who have live lice or eggs; treating unaffected family members is not recommended.
Which treatment works best?
The Department of Health advises that the conditioner and comb method is as effective as registered products when done every second day. If you use a product, follow the label and repeat in 7 days.