Head of Students News

Year 11 Leadership Day

Next Tuesday the Year 11 cohort will work with the Unleashing Personal Potential Leadership group. This all-day workshop is the beginning of the student leadership process for our Year 11 students. Further specific information on the structure of the day and key dates in the process will be emailed home to Year 11 families later this week.

A reminder to students, the day’s activities and themes on leadership will be followed up later the same week on Thursday afternoon 3:20pm – 4:20pm, 21 July in the Draney Theatre working with the Heads of House for those boys interested in formal leadership positions. Students were informed last term, in the case of needing to take paid work shifts off.

Uniform and Grooming

Students generally have returned well dressed in their winter uniform. Students are spoken to regularly at assemblies and in house meetings about the benefits, which apply directly to them of wearing the uniform well not only at school but particularly when travelling to and from school, when they are in the wider community. Parent support on uniform and grooming is greatly appreciated by College staff.

Paul Dillon presentation to Years 10 – 12

The College has engaged Mr Paul Dillon, Director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia to present to our Year 10, 11 and 12 students next Thursday 21 July on the topic of drugs and alcohol.  Paul’s presentations are engaging and tailored specifically to each year level.

Year 10 - Young People, Alcohol and Risk Taking: Looking After Your Mates

This introductory session focuses on alcohol and attempts to debunk some of the myths in this area, particularly around how to look after someone who has drunk too much. Simple strategies to keep themselves and their friends safer when they are socialising will be provided to the students. Using the latest prevalence data, ‘positive norms’ will be promoted, i.e., the majority of Year 10s do not use drugs. Information will also be provided on e-cigarettes and vaping. Finally, using real-life stories, basic life skills on how to deal with alcohol-related emergencies will be discussed, including knowing when to call an ambulance.

Year 11 - Alcohol and cannabis: What do you and your friends need to know?

This presentation reviews and builds upon the practical strategies introduced in the Year 10 session. Information on cannabis will be provided, once again focusing on ‘positive norms’ i.e., most young people do not use the drug and fewer teens are using it than in the past. Potential cannabis-related harms, with an emphasis on mental health will be discussed, as well as some of the possible warning signs that could indicate a person may be experiencing problems with their cannabis use. An update on vaping and e-cigarettes will also be provided. Finally, the impact of alcohol on the adolescent brain will be discussed, highlighting the potential risks of drinking during the teen years.

Year 12 - Last year at school: What do I need to know about alcohol and other drugs?

By their final year of school, many students will either be driving or about to get their licence. To ensure these young drivers are as prepared as possible, information about drink driving and the process of random breath testing (RBT), as well as roadside (RDT) or mobile drug testing (MDT) will be provided. Depending on the group, information about ecstasy/MDMA and psychedelics will also be discussed, including the implications of being caught with an illicit substance in your possession. Finally, the importance of seeking help as quickly as possible should something go wrong will also be reiterated.