From the Counselling Team

Vaping - An Increasing Concern for all Parents
College Counselling Team

Vaping - An Increasing Concern for all Parents

Some helpful strategies to assist you in talking with

your son about this addictive practice

The College has a very clear policy on this issue which is clearly stated in the Student Diary. It reads "possession, association with, or use of vapes or e cigarettes either at the College or attending an activity promoted by the College will be viewed as a very serious offense."

Inherently, most, if not all, adolescents are 'risk takers'. This is particularly true if your son spends too much time alone and gets bored or perhaps if your son's peer group is left unsupervised on weekends or after school and therefore given greater opportunity to experiment with vapes or e cigarettes for the thrill of it. These informal opportunities can lead to more, well-organised individual or group activities where the initial risk-taking can become an addictive practice.

The following resources will assist parents in communicating with their sons on this ever-increasing social concern which students are facing in their real world.

Talking About Vaping with Young People

ecigarette Parent Tip Sheet

You Tube video on What Vaping does to your body

For further helpful support and advice on speaking with your son on this topic, Mr Sean Brannan (Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care) will present some further information at the P&F Meeting on this coming Monday evening. Additionally, Ms Joe McCarthy and Mrs Judy Gill (College Psychologists), details below, are also available to speak to over the phone.

College Counselling Team

The College Counselling Team look forward to providing confidential emotional and social support and guidance for your son and family throughout this year. For reference our College Counselling Team contact details are shown below.

Mr Rick Russo

Counsellor (Full time Monday to Friday) working with students across all year groups.

Email: rrusso@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Direct Phone: 9414 4359

School Mobile (in case of emergency): 0418 438 325

Ms Joe McCarthy

Psychologist (2 days per week: Tuesday and Thursday) working with students across all year groups.

Email: jmccarthy@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Direct Phone: 9414 4322

Mrs Judy Gill

Psychologist (2 days per week: Wednesday and Friday) working with students across all year groups.

Email: jgill@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Direct Phone: 9414 4315

Throughout 2021 the Counselling Team, together with the Learning Support Team, look forward to providing CONFIDENTIAL support to assist your son to build his SELF CONFIDENCE / SELF ESTEEM AND RESILIENCE within a caring, supportive Catholic school community. Please do not hesitate to make contact with any of the above team should the need arise.

Mr Rick Russo - College Counsellor/Chaplaincy Services