Wellbeing

Child Safety

At Huntingtower, the safety and wellbeing of our students are our top priorities. We understand that a secure and nurturing environment is essential for effective learning and personal growth and our Child Safety Committee is dedicated to identifying, implementing and reviewing comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and protection of every child in our care.

Staff Training: The committee coordinates regular training for all staff on child protection policies, procedures, and best practices. This includes child safety training, practical scenarios, and risk identification for a range of school events.

Student Engagement: The committee aims to strengthen its role in organising age-appropriate information sessions and workshops to raise awareness about personal safety, boundaries, and healthy relationships. This includes forums with the student wellbeing committee, student surveys, and workshops on child safety.

Family Presentations and Engagement: The committee strives to enhance collaboration with parents and caregivers to organise presentations, workshops, and outreach initiatives to promote family involvement in child safety. This includes policy updates, parent survey feedback, and communications via the Bulletin.

Safeguarding: The committee reviews safeguarding practices to ensure they meet legislative requirements and best practice standards.

We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students. We value your partnership in this endeavour and invite you to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for your continued support.

Mr Dean Owens

Head of Wellbeing and Learning Enrichment

Year 7 Peer Support

Our Year 7 students are actively participating in the Peer Support program, guided by students in Years 10 and 11. Each week, small groups gather to explore topics like cooperation, decision-making, communication, and healthy relationships. The program aims to empower young individuals to support each other, foster positive connections, and enhance social and emotional skills. It's inspiring to witness the bonds forming across different year levels, and we eagerly anticipate the remaining weeks of this valuable initiative.

Ms Vicki Close

School Counsellor

SPECIAL REPORT: Smokeless Tobacco Products

The evolving nicotine landscape requires parents and caregivers to stay informed to protect young people from these emerging threats. Snus and nicotine pouches are gaining popularity among young people as smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. Both products are discreetly placed under the upper lip, allowing nicotine absorption through the gums.

Health authorities are urging proactive measures to curb this growing trend and calling on regulators to implement controls before these products become as widespread as vapes. The high nicotine levels in these products pose serious health risks, including nicotine addiction, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, tooth decay, and even nicotine poisoning. Researchers highlight the detrimental effects of nicotine on developing brains, linking its use to depression, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and an increased risk of addiction to other drugs.

The marketing of snus and nicotine pouches targets young audiences through social media influencers, raising concerns about their increasing popularity among school students. And like vapes, they come in various flavours and strengths, with unregulated nicotine levels leading to inconsistent and misleading labelling.  It is clear that SLT products contain not only nicotine, but also other chemicals with unknown long-term effects.

This Special Report will help you become aware of the potential risks of smokeless tobacco products and guide you in age-appropriate discussions with your child.

Here is the link to your Special Report:

https://huntingtower.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-smokeless-tobacco-products-au

Mrs Jaynie Gorander

Psychologist/School Counsellor