Sarah L Gaffney
May 2026
Sarah L
Gaffney
,
RN
School Health Nurse Program
Department for Education, Children and Young People
Hobart
,
TAS
Australia
Perhaps most importantly, Sarah has built exceptionally strong relationships with our students, as well as with our teaching and support staff.
Sarah is the absolute light of our office. Sarah is always making sure there is relevant information for students in the office/student admin area, near where the school social workers and nurses sit and around the school buildings - the spaces most frequented by the students. Sarah is also making sure relevant information is given to the admin to place in newsletters, which go out fortnightly. Sarah keeps the sanitary products updated for students - a very sought-after commodity. Sarah is extremely approachable, and we enjoy having her in the office.
***
Sarah has become an integral part of our school community. Sarah is a passionate and dedicated School Health Nurse who works tirelessly to provide our students and school community with care and expertise. Sarah has brought a wealth of knowledge to the role, using her extensive knowledge of external providers to connect our school to essential services to best support our students at their point of need. Her advice regarding who is available is timely, needs-based and aligned to the direction of the school.
***
Sarah is an embedded member of our staff. Sarah works with all members of our school community to offer advice and work with our students. Our students in the secondary space seek out Sarah as a key member of the professional support team. Sarah has worked through some highly complex situations with our students in a friendly, caring manner. Sarah is exceptional at what she does.
***
The fact that Sarah has made the role a ubiquitous part of the school support and wellbeing team is a credit to her.
***
Sarah always has a beaming smile on her face; she is super friendly and approachable. She is always helpful in the Tier 3 space, which I work in, and connects well with some pretty complex student health issues that come up from time to time. Sarah is always helpful when I contact her and goes out of her way to ensure the students' health comes first.
***
Sarah is grounded and professional in what she does. She quietly implements programmes, workshops and guest speakers for the students to be informed about health issues. She is non-judgmental and doesn't push an agenda. She supports everybody and cares deeply about her work. She is a valuable member of the school community. Last year, it looked like Sarah might have been leaving her school. The staff and students were upset if that were the case. Luckily, she stayed. Our school students value connections and build trust around them. Sarah has connected and is a trusted professional with the school community. Sarah embodies the values of the DAISY awards and would be a worthy recipient.
***
She is approachable and has some great working relationships with our students. She has made sanitary products readily available for our girls, too, which is great!
***
Sarah has been vital in growing the school health nurse program within our school. She works with staff to determine student need and has been the driver to getting external agencies in to work and educate students in their health and the impact their choices have on them.
***
Sarah is an exceptional School Health Nurse! She is a highly valued member of the school support team. When I commenced in the SHNP in 2025, Sarah provided me with the unwavering support I needed to transition smoothly into my new job and new work environment. She has continued to act as an excellent mentor, providing me with an outstanding level of guidance as we continue to work together. She is also a constant source of encouragement and support for the students and actively seeks opportunities, no matter how small, to equip them with essential information on their health and wellbeing, empowering them to make informed decisions.
***
I am writing to proudly nominate our School Health Nurse, Sarah Gaffney, for the DAISY Award.
***
Sarah has had an extraordinary impact on our entire school community through her knowledge, care, and commitment to the well-being of our young people.
Over the past year, Sarah has become an essential part of our health and wellbeing program. She has supported us far beyond what many might consider a traditional nursing role. Sarah has worked alongside staff to help plan high-quality Health and Physical Education learning, connected us with resources and programs we did not know existed, and strengthened the link between health education, wellbeing, and student support. Her contributions have directly improved the quality of health education we can offer our students. She has also played a major role in implementing whole-school health initiatives. Sarah has supported our anti-vaping education, consent and respectful relationships learning, sun-safety awareness campaigns, and other preventative health programs that are critical for young people today. What sets Sarah apart is her ability to translate complex and often sensitive health issues into meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences that students genuinely connect with.
Perhaps most importantly, Sarah has built exceptionally strong relationships with our students, as well as with our teaching and support staff. At a school where many students come from lower socioeconomic and trauma-impacted backgrounds, relationships are everything. Sarah understands this deeply. She creates a safe, calm, and trusted space for students who may otherwise struggle to engage with support services. For many of our young people, she has become a trusted adult, someone who listens, cares, and advocates for their well-being. Her presence brings stability and consistency to students who often experience the opposite in other areas of their lives. In trauma-impacted communities like ours, continuity of care is incredibly important. Sarah’s consistent presence, empathy, and understanding of our context have made a profound difference to the sense of safety and support our students feel.
***
Sarah Gaffney is an outstanding nurse, as well as an educator, advocate, collaborator, and trusted support for young people who need it most. The compassion, professionalism, and dedication she brings to our school community make her a true DAISY Nurse.
***
Sarah has become an integral part of our school community. Sarah is a passionate and dedicated School Health Nurse who works tirelessly to provide our students and school community with care and expertise. Sarah has brought a wealth of knowledge to the role, using her extensive knowledge of external providers to connect our school to essential services to best support our students at their point of need. Her advice regarding who is available is timely, needs-based and aligned to the direction of the school.
***
Sarah is an embedded member of our staff. Sarah works with all members of our school community to offer advice and work with our students. Our students in the secondary space seek out Sarah as a key member of the professional support team. Sarah has worked through some highly complex situations with our students in a friendly, caring manner. Sarah is exceptional at what she does.
***
The fact that Sarah has made the role a ubiquitous part of the school support and wellbeing team is a credit to her.
***
Sarah always has a beaming smile on her face; she is super friendly and approachable. She is always helpful in the Tier 3 space, which I work in, and connects well with some pretty complex student health issues that come up from time to time. Sarah is always helpful when I contact her and goes out of her way to ensure the students' health comes first.
***
Sarah is grounded and professional in what she does. She quietly implements programmes, workshops and guest speakers for the students to be informed about health issues. She is non-judgmental and doesn't push an agenda. She supports everybody and cares deeply about her work. She is a valuable member of the school community. Last year, it looked like Sarah might have been leaving her school. The staff and students were upset if that were the case. Luckily, she stayed. Our school students value connections and build trust around them. Sarah has connected and is a trusted professional with the school community. Sarah embodies the values of the DAISY awards and would be a worthy recipient.
***
She is approachable and has some great working relationships with our students. She has made sanitary products readily available for our girls, too, which is great!
***
Sarah has been vital in growing the school health nurse program within our school. She works with staff to determine student need and has been the driver to getting external agencies in to work and educate students in their health and the impact their choices have on them.
***
Sarah is an exceptional School Health Nurse! She is a highly valued member of the school support team. When I commenced in the SHNP in 2025, Sarah provided me with the unwavering support I needed to transition smoothly into my new job and new work environment. She has continued to act as an excellent mentor, providing me with an outstanding level of guidance as we continue to work together. She is also a constant source of encouragement and support for the students and actively seeks opportunities, no matter how small, to equip them with essential information on their health and wellbeing, empowering them to make informed decisions.
***
I am writing to proudly nominate our School Health Nurse, Sarah Gaffney, for the DAISY Award.
***
Sarah has had an extraordinary impact on our entire school community through her knowledge, care, and commitment to the well-being of our young people.
Over the past year, Sarah has become an essential part of our health and wellbeing program. She has supported us far beyond what many might consider a traditional nursing role. Sarah has worked alongside staff to help plan high-quality Health and Physical Education learning, connected us with resources and programs we did not know existed, and strengthened the link between health education, wellbeing, and student support. Her contributions have directly improved the quality of health education we can offer our students. She has also played a major role in implementing whole-school health initiatives. Sarah has supported our anti-vaping education, consent and respectful relationships learning, sun-safety awareness campaigns, and other preventative health programs that are critical for young people today. What sets Sarah apart is her ability to translate complex and often sensitive health issues into meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences that students genuinely connect with.
Perhaps most importantly, Sarah has built exceptionally strong relationships with our students, as well as with our teaching and support staff. At a school where many students come from lower socioeconomic and trauma-impacted backgrounds, relationships are everything. Sarah understands this deeply. She creates a safe, calm, and trusted space for students who may otherwise struggle to engage with support services. For many of our young people, she has become a trusted adult, someone who listens, cares, and advocates for their well-being. Her presence brings stability and consistency to students who often experience the opposite in other areas of their lives. In trauma-impacted communities like ours, continuity of care is incredibly important. Sarah’s consistent presence, empathy, and understanding of our context have made a profound difference to the sense of safety and support our students feel.
***
Sarah Gaffney is an outstanding nurse, as well as an educator, advocate, collaborator, and trusted support for young people who need it most. The compassion, professionalism, and dedication she brings to our school community make her a true DAISY Nurse.