Wellbeing

As part of the Wellbeing Team's Mindful Monday Club, students were recently encouraged to write down a stress or worry they had been thinking about and then rip up the paper up to help “let go” of the thought. It was great to see over 60 students participate and hopefully start the week with a clearer mind!

Active Brains and Bodies is a small wellbeing group focused on staying active while learning practical regulation strategies that can be used in the classroom and everyday life. Activities vary depending on the needs and interests of the group and may include boxing, resistance training, cycling and other movement-based activities. The groups run for one period each Friday, providing students with opportunities to build confidence, develop self-regulation skills and strengthen positive connections through physical activity. Our Term 1 groups were fantastic and the Term 2 groups have already started with great enthusiasm and energy.

Vaping and Nicotine: What Young People Need to Know

Vaping isn’t harmless! Almost all vapes contain nicotine, one of the most addictive substances in the world, even if it’s not listed on the label.

How addiction works

Nicotine triggers “feel good” chemicals in the brain, which reinforces the urge to keep vaping. The more someone vapes, the more their brain and body get used to nicotine, making quitting harder without help.

Health risks for young people

• Nicotine addiction can develop quickly, even without daily use

• Using nicotine during adolescence can negatively affect brain development; impacting learning, memory, mood and concentration

• Vaping may also cause immediate harms like throat irritation, cough, dizziness, headaches, nausea and lung damage

Signs of nicotine addiction

Young people may be addicted if they:

Vape soon after waking
Vape alone or when stressed
Struggle to stop or think about vaping often
Feel irritable, anxious or have trouble concentrating without vaping

Quitting support

If you or someone you know is addicted, support is available. Talking to a GP can help, and tools like the Pave app or Quitline (13 7848) offer guidance and encouragement.

References

Information soured directly from NSW Health 2025 'vaping-nicotine-addiction-young-people-factsheet.pdf'

HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICES/CONTACTS -

KNOX, MAROONDAH, YARRA RANGES