Linda Stanton
Principal
Australia to ban non-prescription vapes in biggest smoking reforms in a decade
Story by Melissa Davey Medical editor •
Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images© Provided by The Guardian
The Australian government will ban the importation of non-prescription vaping products – including those that do not contain nicotine – in the most significant tobacco and vaping control measures in the country in a decade.
To tackle youth vaping, minimum quality standards for vapes will be introduced including restricting flavours, colours and other ingredients. Vape products will require pharmaceutical-like packaging, and the allowed nicotine concentrations and volumes will be reduced. All single-use, disposable vapes will be banned.
Speaking on ABC’s Q&A on Monday night, the health minister, Mark Butler, said that the tobacco industry was trying to create a “new generation of nicotine addicts” through vaping and that he was “determined to stamp out this public health menace”.
It follows an inquiry into vaping reforms led by the drugs regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with submissions from health professional bodies, public health associations, individual health professionals and university researchers overwhelmingly supporting tightening border controls.
Important Dates
MAY
05/05/23 | VCE and Year 10 Careers Expo - Caulfield Racecourse
10/05/23 | Cross Country whole school trials
24/05/23 - 26/05/23 | Year 7 Camp - The Summit
29/05/23 | Year 10 Vaccination
JUNE
01/06/23 - 2/06/23 | Exams and PAT testing
08/06/23 | Year 12 Fancy Dress
09/06/23 | Staff assessment and reporting - Student free day
12/06/23 | Kings Birthday Public Holiday - Student free day
15/06/23 | GAT day
20/06/23 | Course Information Evening
23/06/23 | Last day of Term 2 - School ends at 2.30pm
JULY
10/07/23 | First day of Term 3
Note: As you will be aware the 9th of June is a student free day to allow staff to complete assessments and write reports. The front office will also be closed on this day as we are performing a network upgrade which will disable phones and the internet for the day.
Middle School
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We have completed the Morrisby meetings for Year 9 students. Each student discussed with an external consultant the results of their career profiling.
This is very helpful as it will not be long before students make decisions about their pathways and course selection for Year 10. Today Year 9 students have the Schools Access Monash presentation which highlights the university offerings, even while at school.
Connect classes have been organised so that students can choose an activity on Wednesday afternoons during Connect time. It includes activities such as fit club, art club, basketball plus many other exciting opportunities. Students from Year 7, 8 and 9 can sign up for different activities.
There is a brief assembly today for Year 7 students which is all about their camp, “The Summit.” The students are very excited about the camp and today the assembly will focus on what to bring, camp expectations and the fun activities available.
Thank you, parents and guardians, for ensuring your child’s laptop is charged overnight ready for school the next day. We are really trying to promote students being prepared and ready for every class and this includes arriving with a pen and workbook too.
Wishing you a great week.
Denise Leggett
Middle School Assistant Principal
Senior School
To students and families of the Mornington Senior School,
Well, we have certainly hit the ground running in Term 2. Our VCE ATAR students are busily preparing for the remaining Unit 1 and 3 SACs and SATs, while our VCE VM students continue to demonstrate outcomes. For our Year 10 students, there is no doubt that these next few weeks will be crucial for students as they strive to achieve successful outcomes.
Settling back into consistent predictable routines will continue to be a focus for the senior school this week and I have been meeting with students to reaffirm Mornington’s commitment to creating a positive culture. The essence of these meetings has been to reiterate and refresh our collective understanding of what makes a safe and supportive learning environment for students and a physically and psychologically safe workplace for Mornington Secondary College employees.
I will also take this opportunity to remind any VCE VM students who have still not finalised their required structured work placement (SWL) and submitted their paperwork for approval that it is overdue. SWL is a required part of the Mornington SC VCE VM program and we will be offering support sessions for any student who have not finalised it by the end of this week. These sessions will occur on Fridays until the placement has been organised.
Highlights/upcoming events for each year level in the last week:
Year 10
Careers Expo excursion for all Year 10 students on Friday 5th May. Any students who did not submit their online permission forms by the due date will be combined into a collapsed class on Friday.
Year 11
After Year 11’s had a focus on attendance in term 1, we are building on this in term 2 with a focus on positive culture. This week the launch of the ARCLOW award (like the Brownlow in AFL but with our values – Achievement, Respect and Community), which is an award where students can be nominated/voted on by students, for students. Stay tuned for more information! We also launched a successful subject-based study group in Wednesday Connect sessions where students will get focused study time, building skills in specific areas, based on their individual programs.
Year 12
Last week we recognised excellent student attendance. This is a big area of focus for the school. Please continue to ensure students are at school every day unless unwell or a medical appointment is required. A medical certificate will be required for both. This will allow students to stay up to date with course work and reduce stress for them.
Students participated in 'Anything but a bag' activity at school. The activity saw students bring their books and lunch in creative storage items. Some great ideas and laughs were had. A fun activity organised by our Year 12 student leaders.
Have a great week!
Nick Evans
Senior School Assistant Principal
Staff Profiles
Julie Cameron
I have joined the Mornington Secondary College’s Inclusion Team working to obtain funding for students through the Disability Inclusion Program. I am in my final semester of obtaining my Master of Learning Intervention to further support my role with students. I come to the school from teaching in a primary school in the senior sub school with a focus on disability and student leadership. I am looking forward to working closely with students and families to create an inclusive environment for students to be able to access the curriculum and show growth in their learning.
Jo Reeman
Hello. My name is Jo Reeman and I have been teaching for 25+ years and absolutely love what I do. I have been lucky enough to have been at Mornington Secondary College since mid-2018 and Year 7 Team Leader since 2019.
I am a Physical Education/ Science/Japanese teacher. This year I teach VCE Chemistry and Biology as well as Year 7 Science and Japanese. I enjoy teaching at both ends of the school as I love having the Year 7’s join us, a little nervous and a little excited, and then watching them grow as they take on the new opportunities of secondary college and emerging as amazing young adults six years later.
Personally, in my spare time I love travelling and being in the outdoors, bushwalking or jumping from planes, both are fine by me!
Kate Sugarman
My name is Kate Sugarman and I have been teaching at Mornington Secondary College since 2020 and have enjoyed being a Year 7 Coordinator since mid-2022. At Mornington I have enjoyed teaching General Science to Year’s 7-10, Marine Science and Year 11 and 12 VCE Biology. I love working with the Year 7 cohort and helping them adjust to high school and feel a part of our school community. I have a passion for Marine and Environmental Science and love to go scuba diving and snorkelling and exploring different marine environments. I also have a love of travel and have been to 34 countries and have plans to visit my 35th country in the winter school holidays to hopefully go swimming with manta rays!
Rachael Schembri
I have been working as an educator since 2012, with experience in both a primary and secondary setting.
This is my second year at Mornington Secondary College, where I have joined the Year 7 Team in my new role as one of the Coordinators. I teach English and Mathematics in the junior years. I value collaboration and incorporating real life elements into the classroom.
My strengths are my communication and interpersonal skills where I build relationships with students and their families in order to promote positive learning experiences for all.
I am involved with the school aerobics team and run a games club on Thursdays in the Learning Centre.
In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, walking my dogs and spending time with family.
Intermediate tennis
On Monday 1st May some of our Year 9 and 10 boys went to Pakenham to play in the regional tennis competition. The boys won their group beating Frankston High School, Brighton Secondary College and Alkira Secondary College to advance to the final. Unfortunately the boys lost to Melbourne High School.
The boys played some amazing tennis and were very competitive against Melbourne High School.
Well done to Jiah Smith, Alex Classon, Jayden Gough and Alex Keily.
Cassy Darnett
Year 9 Coordinator
Examinations
“Exams”, a word that conjures all sorts of negative emotions for most of us that at one time or another have had to live through the experience. But should exams be seen as a negative experience?
Exams provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding and skills across a subject. As such they are really opportunities for celebration, a chance for students to shine, to confidently say “I know and can do this”. As parents and teachers we have an important role to play in how students perform in exams. Here are a few things you can do at home to help:
- Talk positively to your child about exams. Don’t tell them that you were no good at exams or that exams don’t matter, this gives them excuses for not trying and starts them with a negative outlook.
- Provide structure to help them prepare. A students who does not prepare for exam will find it difficult and not a positive experience. Starting the preparation work now, pop quiz at the dinner table, time allocated to create revision notes and the student asking teachers for exam preparation materials are a few very simple things that can make a big difference.
- Look over their revision. Taking a short amount of time to have a look at the work they are doing communicates to them that you think it is important.
- Talk to your child about the work they are doing at the moment in class. Students who have to recap and summarise work they are doing within 4-12 hours are much more likely to retain that information
- Attendance. Make sure your child is at school as much as possible.
Year 10 and 11 students will participate in exams from Thursday 1st of June.
Lets make it a celebration of a great semester of learning.
Mike Parker
Assistant Principal
Thank you to our Drum Corps
On Tuesday we held a morning tea thank you to our Drum Corps during recess.
As a school we were extremely proud of our Drum Corps made up of Year 7 and Year 8 students, in the way they represented the school during our in school service and the Mornington Main Street ANZAC day walk.
The students practice during lunchtimes normally, however committed to extra practices leading up to the event.
Well done to our Drum Corps leading teacher, Paul Papettas along with Kellie Nottle and Jo Reeman for all of your hard work.
Aerobics Team
This Sunday our Aerobics team will be attending Patterson River Secondary College for the Regional Finals competition.
The girls have been working tirelessly all year, including after school, before school, during their lunchtimes and their holidays and are pumped to hit the stage this weekend. They are an absolute credit to themselves and the College and we are so proud of their commitment and determination.
If you see any of the girls over the next two days, please congratulate them and wish them luck!
Any team that qualifies from Regionals is invited to the State Competition held in June so fingers crossed we have some success on Sunday 😊
A huge shout out to Indi Jowett for selflessly giving up her time this year and working so hard with the girls.
Careers - Pathways
Defence jobs in the Australian Navy.
Meet Kabai, Able Seaman, and hear his story about an exciting and rewarding career in the Navy.
Follow him as he shows what life is like aboard an LHD ship with his favourite downtime activities, like snacking on his favourite foods, breaking a sweat on the sunset deck, and exploring around the Whitsundays Islands.
Follow the below link to take a sneak peak into life on deck in the Navy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iDuD-bcVrg
Connect with an expert to chat about Navy roles today by calling 131901 or heading to the website on https://navy.defencejobs.gov.au/
Canteen
Notification of Price Changes – 8th May 2023
Dear families, students, and teachers,
We are writing to you advising that the canteen will be implementing price changes across our menu, effective from 8th May 2023.
As you are no doubt aware that there is continued pressure on all prices due to a 7.4% national wide inflation rate. Adding to the current inflationary issue we are also currently going through a national hospitality industry labour shortage, which resulted in a significant increase of everyday business running expenses and wages.
We have absorbed many of these increases over the past ten months and kept our prices the same, but My School Catering now has no choice but to pass on these increases to our customers. We will be increasing all our prices by 8%-10% (Roughly 20-50 cent), to keep in line with the national inflation rate.
We understand that these increases will place pressure on families but please be assured your pricing remains very discounted, and please check out the budget section on our online order system for discounted items.
We have included a new Term 2 2023 price list for your reference, and please ensure your children bring the correct amount to recess and lunch.
We would like to thank all students, families, and staff for their ongoing support and understanding. We hope to see you in our canteen soon.
Kind regards,
My School Catering
WEP Student Exchange Open Day
Dear Teachers,
World Education Program (WEP), a not-for-profit high school student exchange organisation registered with the VRQA, is bringing in the new term with an Open Day in Melbourne!
WEP helps students fulfil their dream of living and going to school overseas. Student exchange programs are a great way for students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, the world around them and other cultures. This is a unique opportunity for students to gain independence, confidence, resilience and become more accepting of different views and ways of living.
Our upcoming Open Day will allow students and parents to learn all things student exchange, including which destinations are available and lots of information about overseas schools, host families and more!
We would love if you could share the news with your students and school community. Attached is an insert that can be included in your next school newsletter, or put around the school.
About the event
✈️Live Information Sessions! Information Sessions will be run on the hour at 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm (depending on numbers).
✈️ Meet some returned WEP Students! Some returned WEP students will be around throughout the day and available to answer any questions and tell students about their exchange experience!
✈️ Meet the WEP Australia team! Students can get to know the behind the scenes team - ask us any questions about our programs, including the application process, how finding host families works or about hosting in Australia!
The Details
❓When: Saturday 6th of May. Students are welcome anytime between 1pm - 4pm
❓Where: 479 Hampton Street, Hampton, VIC, 3188
❓How: Students can RSVP with the QR code on the poster
Students are welcome to come in anytime, but we do ask if you could let students know to RSVP prior to the event.
If students are unable to make the Open Day, we have an online Information Session on Thursday 11th of May at 6pm AEST. The session will be run via Zoom and students can register on our website - https://wep.org.au/lets-talk/sessions/
Wellbeing
Mornington Community Support Centre run a scheme to help people in the community called the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS). This allows people to buy white goods, repair cars, buy electronics etc. It can be used for almost anything, the only items not included is cash, debts, and food.
Eligibility
Health care card/ Pension Card
OR
Earn less than $70, 000 a year single.
$100,000 a year couple
OR
Experienced Family Violence.
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