Head of Students News

School TV 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.

Accessing the special report link below will help you become aware of the potential risks of smokeless tobacco products and guide you in age-appropriate discussions with your child.

https://marash.qld.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-smokeless-tobacco-products-au

Year 10 Your Choicez Seminar Day and Year 11 RACQ Driving Docudrama Presentation

Supporting our timetabled lessons in the ASH program were two important presentations this week. On Monday Year 10 had a full day with a guest presenter, Mr David Kobler from Your Choicez organisation who challenged students on the topics of consent, respectful relationships and pornography. This work supported the lessons this term on similar topics.

The Year 11 cohort attended a morning presentation today from the RACQ docudrama presenters highlighting real-world strategies for combating the ‘Fatal Five’ road safety issues; Drink and Drug driving, Fatigue, Seatbelt use, Speeding and Distraction. Such a presentation is aimed at supporting the education parents and families do at home.

I would like to thank Mr Phill Holding – Senior School Pastoral Leader for his work in organising these two presentations.

Winter Uniform Term 3

Upon returning each term, amongst others, one issue the pastoral leaders commonly deal with is to do with inappropriate haircuts that are not in line with College standards. I ask all families to work alongside the College in ensuring the students are neatly presented on their return. A reminder of the College expectations regarding hair and grooming from Page 21 of the student diary:

Hair must be clean, brushed and generally neat – off the ears and collar and, when brushed forward, out of the eyes.  There must be no extremes or variations to hair colour nor layered, rigid or undercut hair. The shortest length is a blade 3. A conservative “College cut” is recommended. All boys must be clean-shaven during the school day and at all College events. Sideburns may not be below the level of the earlobes.

Whooping Cough Awareness

Brisbane and the surrounding community have seen a recent spike in whooping cough cases. Marist is no exception with relevant year groups already notified.

If needed over the holiday break, the link below is a Queensland health fact sheet on signs, symptoms, transmission, prevention and treatment:

Whooping cough (pertussis) | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)