From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College,

I READ recently that in order to feel less tired, one should consider a shift from talk of being “busy” and instead, to being “occupied”. So it is with pleasure that I reflect briefly on how “occupied” we have been this term.

Our consistent focus on teaching and learning has only been enhanced with our occupation with complementary activities. In recent weeks we have seen some fabulous results on the sporting field including Mr Turkich’s Year 8/9 AFL team making the final after a nail-biter against Clontarf last week, our Year 12s spent a day of reflection in Retreat with Miss Kyd and other staff, Mr Beins and Mr Di Labio worked their musical magic having some of our very talented students entertain us at lunchtimes with our contemporary musicians and Year 11 student Mary Carter took out third prize at the very esteemed “Speak for Faith” competition organised by the WA Catenian Association.

Earlier this week, we were privileged to welcome Archbishop Charles Balvo to our College. Archbishop Balvo has recently been appointed to the role as the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, the Pope’s Ambassador to our country. He insisted on visiting our College following a previous association with the Norbertines at Strahov Abbey in Prague, the burial place of St Norbert. Thank you to Fr Peter, and Year 12s Charlotte Brown, Bianca Valenti, Thayne Birdge and Marig Gerbehowaria for accompanying me on a tour of our College with Archbishop Balvo.

At the end of each year, I have the opportunity to meet with Year 12 students and when asked about some of the highlights of their time at our College, it is rare that the Year 9 camp is not mentioned. Our Year 9 students have spent this week in Karridale enjoying this wonderful experience. I was very fortunate to be able to join them for a few days and was thrilled with the level of engagement, enthusiasm and energy that the campers have put into this experience and it is no wonder then that the benefits and memories are long cherished. I overheard one participant saying that, “Mr Houwen and the staff have put on the best camp experience I have ever had!!!” – a wonderful compliment. Thanks must go to Mr Houwen and Mrs Page for the tireless work in coordinating this camp and to the other staff who gave up so much personal and family time to attend – Mr O’Gradaigh, Miss Woodford, Miss Gawley, Mr Mecham, Mr Turkich, Ms Cassidy, Mr Aquino, Mr Rickard, Mrs Marsden and Ms Muir.

Sadly at the end of each term, we often farewell staff who move into new chapters and so this time, I would like to acknowledge the following;

• Miss Holly Lissington-Sumatluck
  We thank Miss Lissington-Sumatluck for her service and contribution as our Dance teacher since July 2021 and wish her well in her future endeavours.
• Mrs Madeleine De Luca
  We wish Mrs De Luca and her husband our warmest best wishes as they embark on a very exciting chapter with the impending birth of their first child.

And I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Erica Dorfling and Mrs Chrystelle Borello who have most recently resigned following periods of parental leave and extensive service at St Norbert College. Mrs Dorfling commenced in 2007 as a HPE teacher and later the Head of Xanten House and Mrs Borello started as a Dance teacher in 2012, having also served as the Head of Year 7 for a period of time. We thank these very special staff members and lifelong friends of our College for their wonderful contributions over so many years.  

And so as we embark on these highly anticipated school holidays, we look forward to a change of pace that this time will bring, allowing us all to be “occupied” peacefully and with rest.

God bless.

Mr S Harvey

(Principal) 

Education about vaping

The following information has been provided by the Department of Education after many schools reported a recent increase in young people vaping. 

Do you know what they're vaping?  

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, often called ‘vapes’, are electronic devices designed to deliver vapourised liquids into the lungs. There are many different styles of vapes and types of e-liquids, or e-juices, available. Vapes come in many shapes and sizes and can be made to look like everyday items including highlighters, pens or USB memory sticks.

The biggest misunderstanding about vapes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. This is not true. Vapes are not safe.

Vaping facts 

• Many vapes contain nicotine making them very addictive. 
• The nicotine in 1 vape can equal 50 cigarettes.
• Vapes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray. They just don’t put it on the pack.
• Vapes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety.
• Young people who vape are 3 times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes. 
• Vape aerosol is not water vapour.
• Vaping has been linked to serious lung disease.
• Vapes that contain nicotine can cause long-lasting negative effects on young people’s brain development.

Signs your child might be vaping

Tell-tale signs that your child might have started vaping include the symptoms of nicotine addiction such as feeling irritable or anxious. 

The laws around selling vapes 

It is reported that young people often purchase vapes online, from retail stores or from friends and contacts in the community. However, it is illegal in WA to sell e-cigarette devices and nicotine vaping products to anyone regardless of age, unless they are prescribed by a doctor for smoking cessation purposes and obtained with a prescription from a pharmacy. 

In WA e-cigarette devices and their components, whether they contain nicotine or not, cannot be sold by tobacco or general retailers. If you suspect someone is selling vapes or e-cigarettes and their components, you can report it to the Department of Health by emailing TobaccoPolicy@health.wa.gov.au

Talk to your child about vaping

Whether you suspect your child is vaping or not, take the time to talk to them about vaping and help them understand the risks. Try to start the conversation in a relaxed easy-going way, be patient, and remember your goal is to have a conversation, not deliver a lecture. Importantly, have your facts ready.

For more information 

Get the evidence and facts at www.education.wa.edu.au/drug-education