St Vincent de Paul Christmas Hampers

Dear Parents and Carers,

MINI VINNIES SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE TERM 4

The Mini Vinnies Team have given each class a basket to collect Christmas Hamper items for St Vincent de Paul.

During this time of Advent, the school and Year 6 Mini Vinnies Team will be supporting St Vincent de Paul with Christmas hampers. Students are encouraged to bring specific items in the list below.(any of the items from any class are greatly appreciated) This social justice initiative really helps the students to understand care and compassion towards others in our community and to look beyond ourselves. Please see a list of preferred items below. The donations can be bought to school by students, and placed in class baskets until Friday, 16th December.

We will use one basket as a symbol of giving at our whole school end of year mass.

I asked St Vincent de Paul what they need for hampers and their list included:

Canned foods

Flour

Pasta

Sugar

Biscuits

Potato chips

Popcorn packets

Rice

Soap

Toothbrushes

Shampoo

Baby wipes

Deodorant

reusable water bottle

Toys (unwrapped please)

Please DON’T include:

Medications

Foods with a short expiry date

Fruit and vegetables

Meat

Bread

Dairy products

Perishable items

Nuts

Thank you for your support of our community and the Year 6 Mini Vinnies during Advent.

Andrew Butler

Religious Education Leader.

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Cyberbullying

With the advent of the internet, smart phones and tablets, there is now a whole new digital dimension added to traditional schoolyard bullying. There was once a time when bullying victims were given some respite outside of school hours, but sadly these days, online bullying can occur 24/7. In today’s world, teaching your child about online and cyber safety is as important as learning to swim or cross the road!

Cyberbullying can be identified as being the repeated behaviour by an aggressor with the intent to harm or embarrass. Technology enables these aggressors to share information widely and quickly, making this form of bullying extremely dangerous and harmful.

However, the answer is not to shun the internet nor social media. Instead, parents are encouraged to embrace it and instill a family internet policy to protect their children without limiting the freedom to learn, explore and communicate online.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents are provided with useful guidelines and advice on how to minimise the risks. Children have the right to feel safe, regardless of whether it is in the schoolyard or online.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact me for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Cyberbullying edition of

SchoolTVhttps://stacbourne.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cyber-bullying

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SPECIAL ALERT: Vaping & E-Cigarettes

Over recent months, there has been a growing concern about the impending epidemic affecting young people in relation to the use of e-cigarettes and the trendy pastime of vaping. As this activity grows in popularity, most children are unaware of the associated risks and the potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health.

Vaping is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette.

Although vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking, doctors advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Although vaping products are infused with enticing flavours, many contain high levels of nicotine as well as other chemicals and additives, that when inhaled, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products and despite it being illegal to use, sell or buy nicotine for use in e-cigarettes, users are purchasing these products through other avenues.

A recent Australian study of chemically flavoured liquids used in e-cigarettes which are available here for purchase over the counter, has confirmed concerns about their safety and respiratory health impact. Attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of vape products containing nicotine. Unfortunately, manufacturers are developing vaping devices that are cheaper and easier to hide than conventional cigarettes, making it more attractive and cost-effective for impressionable young people.

For more information click here to download vaping fact sheets from the Lung Foundation Australia.Or, if this Special Report has raised some issues, please seek support from your medical practitioner or one of the following services:

Lung Foundation Australia 1800 654 301

Quitline 13 78 48Poisons Information Line 13 11 26

Alcohol and Drug Foundation 1300 85 85 84

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