Student Services 

Vaping in Young People

While smoking cigarettes looks to have lost its appeal with most Australian teenagers, the popularity of vaping continues to grow. E-cigarettes or ‘vapes’ are battery-powered devices that hold cartridges of nicotine or non-nicotine liquids. These liquids also contain artificial flavourings and various other chemicals.

The liquid is heated into a vapour and inhaled into the lungs. Despite the need for a doctor’s prescription to purchase e-cigarettes containing nicotine, 11 per cent of Australians aged 14 and over admit to having tried vaping at least once. Marketed as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes, the long term health effects of e-cigarettes are yet to be determined.

Early studies suggest vaping can harm adolescent brain development and lead to tobacco use and dependence later in life. 

So as a parent what can you to do to inform your kids about the risks of vaping? 

• Lead by example and don’t use e-cigarettes, especially around children. 
• Equip yourself with accurate and current information about vaping and have an open discussion about the risks with your teen. Focus on how you care about them and want them to be healthy. Be honest, avoid exaggerated statements. 
• Time your conversations for when you’re both calm and not distracted. For example, while driving or sharing a meal. 
• Stay calm and never assume or judge. If you suspect your teen is vaping, avoid searching their belongings as this could undermine trust. Instead, reassure them that they can always talk to you. 
• The Lung Foundation Australia has an excellent resource sheet that has been developed with young Australians in mind to show the facts, raise the issues, and provide advice on vaping and how to take action when it comes to the risks. (See attachment provided called Unveil what you Inhale.

Reference: 

Alcohol and drug foundation;adf.org.au

Doctors In Schools Appointments 

Mrs Louise West

Wellbeing Leader

Wellbeing for All

If you are struggling with procrastination, motivation & staying organised then keep reading!

It is so challenging to keep up with the tasks required of us, trying to balance studies, social life, personal life and extracurricular activities.

It can be quite stressful to keep on top of the work load, and hard to find motivation to start. 

In order to help with this, I decided to put together 6 STUDY TIPS for tackling your studies. The study tips covers points such as:

• Time management
• SMART Goals
• Staying Motivated
• Coping with Distractions and Mistakes
• Brain Breaks

The goal is to provide you with alternative tips and tricks to help you get started, and hopefully set you up to have healthy study habits in the future. 

This isn’t aimed at any specific year level, this is something that can be used by any student, in any year level. 

If at any stage you feel overwhelmed and need support managing your motivation or organisation, the wellbeing team is here to help. 

Good luck!

Ms Alicia Alpium

School Counsellor