Spinal health: what schools can do

School communities have a variety of student welfare and health programs that aim to improve the well being of young people. Many schools have recognised the need to help reduce the loads that children and young people carry to and around school.

Following are some suggested strategies that school communities can implement to improve the spinal health of children and young people.

• During roll call or pastoral care time, speak with students about packing and carrying their backpacks correctly (see the 'Tips for choosing and using backpacks' section in this package). Encourage students to take responsibility for checking their timetables and only carrying essential items to school.



• Take opportunities to encourage students to wear their backpack correctly.



• Where students are required to spend longer than an hour at a computer, it is suggested that they be allowed to briefly stretch and/or walk around. Also see the 'Looking after your back when studying and using the computer' section in this package.



• Take into account student movement when timetabling to minimise students carrying heavy loads.



• Provide lockers for all students and have class sets of texts that students can share during lessons if space and resources permit.



• Take opportunities to photocopy relevant materials that students need to complete homework tasks so that they do not have to carry heavy texts home.



• Where feasible, allow students to share the responsibility of carrying heavy textbooks to school with a classmate. For example, students take turns in bringing the text to class and share it during lessons.



• Inform students when texts are not required for lessons so that they are not carrying unnecessary loads.



• Continue to provide a range of physical activity options for students through the PDHPE curriculum and through Sport. Consider allowing students to use sports equipment at lunchtime if adequate space and supervision is available.



• Where possible, purchase furniture of different sizes to accommodate the different size of students. This will assist students to maintain correct posture when sitting.



• Include items in the school newsletter for parents so that they can support efforts being made by the school to encourage children and young people to take responsibility for spinal health (see the 'Spinal health: what parents can do' section in this package).



• Engage the school parent organisation for their support - they may be able to provide a forum for awareness-raising about issues relating to spinal health and/or assist in raising funds for lockers or additional texts.



• When taking students on camping expeditions, ensure that they get adequate instruction in packing and carrying their packs. Also ensure that they have had adequate physical training for the expedition.



• Make use of the support available from professional organisations, such as the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Youthsafe (see the 'Spinal health: how professional organisations can help' section in this package). Physiotherapists are keen to share their knowledge about safe load carrying and prevention by talking to students at their local schools. If you'd like a physiotherapist to visit your school, contact the APA through their website at www.physiotherapy.asn.au or call the local branch in your state or territory.