From the Head of Senior School

Parties and Gatherings 

Traditionally, Term 3 is a busy social time for students, especially for our seniors who are celebrating significant birthdays and milestones in their school career. For parents and caregivers, this can be challenging. We want our teens to enjoy themselves, we want them to be safe, and we want them to make good choices. As we support our teens to navigate their social lives, it is essential that we equip them with the knowledge to ensure their safety, particularly when attending parties and social gatherings. 

From the insightful resources at PositiveChoices.org.au, we can borrow this thought: "Fostering open, respectful conversations about alcohol and drugs can help young people make safer choices." It’s important that we are open to talking with our teenagers, discussing the potential dangers and effects of substance misuse. 

Headspace.org.au offers a number of practical safety tips for parties. Their primary advice: "Always make sure there’s a plan to get home safely." Encourage your teenager to use designated drivers, ride shares, or public transport. It's always worth repeating the message: if they’re feeling unsafe, they should leave immediately. 

Parentline.com.au underscores the importance of knowing where and with whom your teenager is spending their time. They remind us: "Keep in touch with them throughout the evening, and reassure them that they can call you anytime if they need help." This open line of communication can make all the difference in keeping them safe. 

Lastly, NSW Police provides practical advice to prevent party disasters: "Advise your neighbours if you plan to host a party and consider inviting them." This creates an environment of collective responsibility, where neighbors can look out for each other's children, making the party safer. For parents and caregivers who host social events for minors, it is important to know the law.  

The safety of our teens remains our primary concern, so let's work together, use these valuable resources and keep the dialogue open. Remember, it takes a village to raise a child.

Drug and alcohol issues 

• Be aware that it is an offence for alcohol to be served or provided to people under the age of 18. 
• Ensure under 18's do not have access to alcohol. 
• Confiscate BYO alcohol from under 18's. 
• If under 18's do consume alcohol/drugs, contact their parents and have them collected from the party”.