SCHOOL DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS

After years of care and support for our students, Dr Kate Cooper is hanging up the stethoscope at the end of Term 1.

We would like to thank Kate for everything she has done for our school community, for the advocacy and dedication she has shown to our students and families, and her commitment to their wellbeing.

For those wishing to see Kate before she finishes up, she will be onsite on the following days: Wednesday 25th March and Wednesday 1st April

To make an appointment, please visit your Hub or contact Jayne in Wellbeing.

Term 2 Onwards: Nurse Amy remains onsite every Wednesday to continue her great work, and while we search for a replacement GP, telehealth appointments will be offered to ensure students continue to receive care.

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PEER PRESSURE or INFLUENCE

Peer influence is when you choose to do something you wouldn’t otherwise do, because you want to feel accepted and valued by your friends. You might hear the term ‘peer pressure’ used a lot, but peer influence is a better way to describe how teenagers’ behaviour is shaped by wanting to feel they belong to a group of friends or peers. Some young people might choose to try things they normally wouldn’t be interested in, like vaping or behaving in antisocial ways. Peer pressure and influence might result in young people:

choosing the same clothes, hairstyle or jewellery as their friends
listening to the same music or watching the same TV shows as their friends
changing the way they talk or the words they use
doing risky things or breaking rules
working harder at school or not working as hard
dating or taking part in sexual activities
vaping, smoking or using alcohol or other drugs.

Being yourself: a balance for peer pressure and peer influence

It’s natural to worry that your child is being influenced too much by their peers or that they’re compromising their values (or yours) to fit in with their friends. It’s also natural to worry that your child won’t be able to say no if they get pressure to try risky things, like wagging school or smoking. But listening to the same music and dressing in the same way as friends doesn’t necessarily mean that your child will also do antisocial or risky things.

If your child is happy with who they are and their choices and values, they’re less likely to be influenced by other people. Your child might choose to do some things that their friends do, but not others. And your influence is important here – it’s the biggest factor shaping your child’s values and long-term choices.

Helping young people manage peer pressure and peer influence

Building your child’s confidence can help your them resist negative peer influence. If your child is confident, they’re better able to make safe, informed decisions and avoid people and situations that aren’t right for them. Encourage them to try new things that give them a chance of success and to keep trying even when things are hard. Praising your child for trying hard is important for building confidence too.

Build your child’s self-compassion

Self-compassion is being kind to yourself and treating yourself with the same warmth, care and understanding you’d give to someone you care about. Self-compassion can help your child handle stress and anxiety related to peer influence. A strong relationship with you helps your child feel loved, accepted and secure.

Keep the lines of communication open

You can do this by staying connected to your child. This helps your child feel they can come to you to talk if they’re feeling pressured to do something they’re uncomfortable with.

Suggest ways to say no

Your child might need to have some face-saving ways to say no if they’re feeling influenced to do something they don’t want to do. For example, friends might be encouraging your child to try vaping. Rather than simply saying, ‘No, thanks’, your child could say something like, ‘No, it makes my asthma worse’, or ‘No, I don’t like the way it makes me smell’.

Give your child a way out

If your child feels they’re in a risky situation, it might help if they can contact you for back-up. You and your child could agree on a coded message for those times when your child doesn’t want to feel embarrassed in front of friends. For example, they could say that they’re checking on a sick grandparent, but you’ll know that it really means they need your help. If your child does contact you, it’s important to focus their positive choice to ask you for help, rather than on the risky situation your child is in. Your child is more likely to ask for help if they know they won’t get into trouble.

Encourage a wide social network

If your child has the chance to develop friendships from many sources, including sport, family activities or clubs, it will mean they’ve got plenty of options and sources of support if a friendship goes wrong.

When you’re worried about peer pressure and peer influence

Encouraging your child to have friends over and giving them space in your home can help you get to know your child’s friends. This also gives you the chance to check on whether negative peer pressure and influence is an issue for your child.

Good communication and a positive relationship with your child might also encourage your child to talk to you if they’re feeling negative influence from peers. If you’re worried your child’s friends are a negative influence, it’s important to talk and listen without judging and gently help your child see the influence their peers are having. Being critical or judgmental about your child’s friends might push your child into seeing them behind your back or seeing them more often.

It’s best to talk with your child about behaviour you don’t like rather than the people you don’t like. For example, you might say, ‘When you’re with your friends, you often get into fights’. This can be better than saying, ‘You need to find new friends’.

It can help to compromise with your child. For example, letting your child wear certain clothes or have their hair cut in a particular way can help them feel connected to their peers, even if you’re not keen on blue hair or ripped jeans. Letting your child have some independence can reduce the chance of more risky choices.

When to be concerned about peer influence and peer pressure

If you notice changes in your child’s mood, behaviour, eating or sleeping patterns, which you think are because of their friends, it might be time to have a talk with your child.

Some mood and behaviour changes are normal in pre-teens and teenagers. But if your child seems to be in a low mood for more than 2 weeks, or their low mood gets in the way of things they normally enjoy, they might need support for their mental health. Warning signs include:

low moods, tearfulness or feelings of hopelessness
aggression or antisocial behaviour that’s not usual for your child – for example, getting into trouble with the police, fighting or stealing
sudden changes in behaviour, often for no obvious reason
trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early
loss of appetite or overeating
reluctance to go to school
withdrawal from activities your child used to like
statements about wanting to give up or life not being worth living.

If you’re concerned, start by talking with your child. The next step is to talk to your GP, who can put you in contact with your local child and adolescent mental health team or another appropriate professional.

Article credit - Peer pressure & peer influence: teens | Raising Children Network

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ENERGY DRINKS and TEENS

Energy drinks are flavoured, non-alcoholic beverages which contain high levels of caffeine and other ingredients to create a stimulating physiological effect. Whilst they are marketed to improve the body’s performance, there is no scientific evidence to suggest they offer any health benefit.

Energy drinks pose significant health risks to Australian teenagers, with 1 in 14 consuming them weekly, often leading to sleep deprivation, increased heart rates, anxiety, and obesity due to high caffeine and sugar levels. Australian health guidelines advise children and teenagers avoid them, as ingredients like taurine and guarana lack safety evidence for young people.

Key Health Impacts on Australian Teens

Sleep Disruption: Weekly consumption is linked to poor sleep, with users twice as likely to get less than 8 hours of sleep on school nights.
Heart & Neural Effects: High caffeine levels can cause dizziness, anxiety, tremors, and in some cases, severe issues requiring hospitalisation.
Dental Health: High sugar and acid levels contribute to tooth decay.
Mental Health: Research suggests a link between energy drinks and increased risk of depression, ADHD, and suicidal thoughts.

There are currently no restrictions in Australia on who can purchase energy drinks, meaning they are widely available and accessible to children from any store that sells non-alcoholic beverages.

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