Message from 

Nurse Janice

Immunisation Consent Forms Yr 7 & Yr 10 Students

Please return these asap as the Shire are collecting them on Thursday. If you have misplaced the forms the School Office has spare ones. 

Please return these forms even if your child isn't having the immunisations at school. 

Dental Van Visit

The Dental Van will be at Wedderburn College from the 23rd of March so please send back consent forms as soon as possible.

Smoking and Vaping

It has been brought to my attention that an increasing number of students at Wedderburn College are vaping. I have again included information about the regulations regarding vaping and some links to websites that have important information for parents, carers and students.

This is not a legal or safe activity, and Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects smoking and vaping. 

Research from the Royal Children’s Hospital shows many parents and carers are not aware of the harmful effects or how their views about smoking and vaping can impact the likelihood of a young person taking up smoking or vaping. 

The Department of Education and Training has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping, and some suggestions about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support. To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents 

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people. 

WHERE THE BAN APPLIES 

The smoking and vaping ban applies to: 

• anyone present on Wedderburn College premises during and outside of school hours including students, teachers, contractors, parents or carers or the wider community, such as sporting groups 
• all activities that take place on school premises including pre-schools, kindergartens, outside school hours care, cultural, sporting or recreational activities and school fetes 

Smoking and vaping are also banned within four metres of any part of a pedestrian access point (entrance) to the premises. 

The diagram above shows an example of where the smoking ban applies at a school. 

WHEN THE BAN APPLIES  

The smoking and vaping ban applies at all times, no matter whether the building or school grounds are being used for education purposes or other purposes. The ban therefore applies when other activities are taking place on the school grounds, such as fetes or sporting events, as well as during school hours. 

WHY THE BAN EXISTS  

To protect children and young people from the dangers of second-hand smoke and vapour 

This ban ensures that children and young people can enter and leave these areas without being exposed to harmful second-hand smoke and vapour. Their health is particularly at risk because they have smaller airways and less developed immune systems compared to adults.  

To reduce the role modelling of smoking and vaping behaviours around children and young people 

Children and young people are more likely to view smoking and vaping as socially acceptable when they regularly see people doing it.  

Banning smoking and vaping in areas used by children and young people will discourage children and young people from using tobacco or e-cigarette products. 

Education sessions for all secondary school students are being developed and will be included in the curriculum.  

Janice Deocampo

School Nurse