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It has to be a really good conference to be worth attending in the school holidays.
This year's annual conference for Matrons and Medical Staff, held at the University of Leicester in the third week of July, attracted 143 matrons and school nurses to hear speakers on topics as various as Safeguarding Children's Welfare', 'Healthy Attitudes to Sex, Sexuality and Relationships' and 'Listening and Counselling Skills when dealing with Critical Welfare Incidents.'
Dr Jeremy Kirk, Consultant Paediatrician, offered a detailed analysis of some of the problems medical staff in school might encounter as children approach or endure puberty, and Dr Kathryn Lowe demystified the Government's PSHE Initiative.
Nurses and medical staff attending were encouraged to consider their own well-being by Dr Nick Baylis, FRSA, Director of The Well-being Institute at Cambridge University, as he entertained his audience with incidents from his own not-always-smooth life and urged everyone to consider what might be missing from their lives, and what might be restored if it would make us happy. Did you want to be an explorer when you were young? Then what is stopping you now?
LAST CONFERENCE FOR TIM HOLGATE
The conference ended with brief but heartfelt thanks - and a standing ovation - and goodbye to Tim Holgate, BSA's Director of Training, hosting his last conference before his retirement in August and the presentation of flowers to Margaret Leslie-Ellis, of Stover School, who has attended every BSA Conference for Matrons and Medical Staff in the last 40 years.
We look forward to seeing Margaret again next year, and to welcoming matrons and medical staff from all our schools to this important conference for the continuing professional development of colleagues who are vital members of the team in any boarding house.
H. Moriarty 23 July 2008 | 
