For ParentsP.A.R.T.Y. is a new initiative and the program is run through schools and the court system. Currently, we are not at liberty to accept individual participants.
Some common questions parents may have about the Program are:
Q: How are students selected to attend the Program?
A: Schools are responsible for the selection of an appropriate group of students to send to attend P.A.R.T.Y. The school is given written information and support as they decide who is or isn’t appropriate to attend. Inappropriateness to attend includes things such as students who have experienced recent trauma, students who are unwell and students who are outside the age range of 15-19 years.
Q: What happens if my child is physically or emotionally overwhelmed by the Program content?
A: All care has been taken to ensure that the Program, whilst confronting, is physically and emotionally manageable by students of the age attending. However, procedures are in place to care for any student who becomes overwhelmed during the day. These include for illness (including fainting or dizziness), or emotional trauma (panic attacks, feeling overwhelmed, becoming very upset, or just "having had enough"). A hospital Psychologist, a nurse, and a Pastoral Care worker are on-call to attend to your child immediately should they be required.
We have found that students who eat breakfast to be better prepared to deal with the program content. So we suggest that you encourage your child to eat before they attend.
Q: What should my child wear on the day of the excursion?
A: Schools generally give instruction about what students should wear but a school uniform or sports uniform is encouraged (unless the school does not have a uniform) as it is helpful for patients’ families and hospital staff to be able to identify students as part of a school group.
Q: How will my child get to and from the hospital?
A: Schools arrange their own transportation to and from the hospital - usually by bus
Q: Who will supervise my child during the day?
A: At least one adult (teacher, school nurse, school staff member) per 10 students will be attending the excursion with the students to provide supervision and support during the day. When the class is split into smaller groups, one adult from the school will stay with each group at all times. At the hospital, the P.A.R.T.Y. Program Coordinator, clinical presenters, allied health staff and specially trained volunteers, all play a role in ensuring student needs are met.
Q: Is there anything my child should bring on the day?
A: Yes - your child will need to either bring their cold lunch (no facility for re-heating available) or money to buy it at the hospital cafeteria. Morning tea is provided.
Any further questions can be directed to the organising teacher from your school.