Highlights from the past week

I was delighted to attend the Interhouse Show Jumping competition last Friday. As a “non” horse person I was in awe of the skill and bravery of these young riders. Well done to Mrs Prosser and her team for their organisation.

Thank you to the Senior String Quartet, consisting of Millie and Anna Davidson, Ned Walker and Nicholas Hoskyns for their performance at the Napier Club Christmas function on Friday evening. The guests were full of praise for these talented musicians.

The Year 7 Concert Band performed to staff and parents on Tuesday. Our full array of instruments were on show with each section performing. A most enjoyable afternoon. Well done to Mr Hiscock and Mr Singh and our instrumental teachers for all their work and guidance this year. Our students are very lucky to have access to a team of specialist music teachers.

It was a pleasure to attend the Boarding House formal dinner on Monday night . Our boarders looked wonderful with every uniform worn with pride. They enjoyed listening to Old Collegians, Lachlan Holcombe, Sam Winter Cooke and James Pike who each spoke about their unique pathways through the agricultural industry.

Finally, 50% of our Class of 2022 have already received early offers to university. Thank you to Mrs Manifold who is behind the scenes working so hard to make this happen.

Staffing news

We are pleased to announce that Mrs Valetta Bolton has been appointed to the role of Head of Learning Enhancement in 2023. Valetta has worked at the College for 16 years supporting the learning needs of students in both the Junior and Senior Campus. Her love of learning and teaching was fostered during her time at Carey Baptist Grammar and her time with us at College has enabled her to extend her knowledge and experience of diverse learning needs.

We look forward to working with Valetta in her new role.

Important information on vaping

I addressed the senior campus last week on some of the facts and statistics around vaping. It is an ongoing issue in schools locally and across the country.

Unfortunately, there are still students who see this as a harmless pastime and are continuing to vape at school. We have a zero tolerance for this behaviour. Out students have a right to feel safe in the yard and should not feel intimidated when needing to use the bathrooms. I thank and congratulate the students who have had the courage to call out this behaviour and to let staff know. We care too much for the health of our students not to address this as a serious issue.

The following information is taken from the Australian Drug Foundation:

From Friday 1 October 2021, all nicotine vaping products – including nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine pods and liquid nicotine – can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. This includes both in Australia and from overseas.

What is vaping?

Vaping refers to the use of an electronic device (e-cigarette) to heat liquids and produce a vapour, which is then inhaled – mimicking the act of smoking. Vaping devices come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles.

The following substances can be vaped:

nicotine (which is the main psychoactive drug in tobacco)
nicotine-free ‘e-liquids’ made from a mixture of solvents, sweeteners, other chemicals and flavourings
other drugs, e.g. THC (cannabis) e-liquids.1

What are the established harms?

Nicotine on its own is still a toxic substance and regular vaping of it can lead to dependence.

Nicotine can damage DNA, promote tumours, and is linked to a number of different cancers. It is also important to understand that nicotine e-liquids also contain a wide range of other chemicals, additives and flavourings which can be potentially hazardous. The long-term health consequences of these substances are not yet fully understood.

Further info: Talking_about_vaping_with_young_people.pdf (adf.org.au)

I seek the support of our College families in talking to your children at home. If you are not comfortable with your children smoking cigarettes, vaping is just as harmful, if not more so.

KRISTEN WALDRON

Acting Principal

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