PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
It has been another busy three weeks at Balaklava High School since our last newsletter. It was great to see the collaboration between students, parents and educators with our Student Led Conferences last week and NAPLAN testing which kicked off this week. I thank Hannah Marshall for her leadership in both of these areas. New students, including our Year 7 cohort, staff and a small contingent of parents have received information and training around Restorative Practices. With relationships at the centre of all we do, every day Restorative Practices continues to be a key focus and strategy at BHS to build, maintain and restore relationships, especially when they have been damaged or harm has occurred. I thank Lucy Thiel for her leadership and drive in this area.
As per my communication with families, I am seeking parent support in addressing and improving a few key areas of concern that have arisen since the start of the year. These include:
- Mobile phones and personal devices
- Bus behaviour
- Student toilets
- Disrespectful behaviour towards staff
While we have experienced some positive change in these areas over the past three weeks, we will continue to strive for improvement. As we increase the expectations of our young people to demonstrate respect, learn from these errors and improve standards around the concerns we have experienced, they require our support and encouragement to do so. I look forward to your active support in addressing these behaviour concerns and working with us to set a standard for Balaklava High School that we can continue to be proud of.
Vaping
As we continue our commitment to promoting the health and well-being of our students, it is crucial to address a growing concern within our school community: vaping. This practice, which has gained popularity among adolescents, poses significant risks to the health and development of our students.
There has been a concern about the harmful effects that e-cigarettes and vaping have on young people.
The take-up of vaping by young people is increasing. A survey of 13 to 19 year olds by South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People found that 2 in 3 young people had tried vaping, with almost 1 in 4 describing themselves as a regular vaper. Young people say it’s easy to get an e-cigarette illegally at a shop or online and hard to stop once they start.
There are many different styles of e-cigarettes and they can be difficult to spot. The biggest misunderstanding about e-cigarettes is that they are harmless compared to cigarettes. This is not true. E-cigarettes are not safe.
Vaping facts
- Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine despite being labelled as not, making them very addictive.
- E-cigarettes contain many toxic chemicals, they just don’t put it on the pack.
- E-cigarettes can contain the same harmful chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover, weed killer and bug spray.
- E-cigarettes can leave young people at increased risk of depression and anxiety.
- The nicotine in 1 vape can equal 50 cigarettes. Depending on the size of e-cigarette and nicotine strength, it can be much higher.
- Young people who vape are 3 times as likely to take up smoking cigarettes.
- E-cigarette aerosol is not water vapour.
- Vaping has been linked to serious lung disease.
- E-cigarettes cause long-lasting negative effects on brain development.
- E-cigarettes are harmful to the environment as they contain single-use plastics and lithium batteries, cause pollution and can start fires.
Legislation
In South Australia, smoking, including vaping, is banned in all enclosed or indoor public places, shared areas and workplaces. Enclosed public areas are smoke-free under the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997. Regulations under the Act are being introduced to address risks associated with passive tobacco smoking and passive inhalation of e-cigarette aerosol.
From 1 March 2024, new smoke-free and vape-free laws will ban smoking and vaping in a number of public outdoor areas in South Australia. This includes early childhood services premises, education and children’s services facilities (including schools), and within ten (10) metres of their boundaries.
Is your child vaping?
Signs that your child might have started vaping are the usual symptoms of nicotine addiction, such as feeling irritable or anxious. If they are vaping, encourage them to stop and let them know that you are there for support. Stopping can sometimes be hard and they may need advice from a General Practitioner (GP) or other healthcare professional.
What can you do as a parent?
Take the time to talk to your child about vaping and help them understand all of the risks associated with vaping. As e-cigarette use is increasing, they may see it as a normal thing to do, which is not the case. Try to start the conversation with your child in a relaxed easy-going way, perhaps taking the cue from this information, and importantly, have your facts ready.
SA Health has a range of e-cigarettes and vaping information and resources available, including fact sheets for parents and carers, and children and young people.
Parenting SA provides a Parent Easy Guide on Young People, Alcohol and Drugs with advice on talking with children and young people.
For more information
Get the evidence and facts about vaping at SA Health e-cigarettes and vaping information and resources.
Find out more about how the Department for Education manages alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in schools on their website.
Students caught vaping or in possession of vapes on school grounds are participating in illegal activity and will receive a behaviour response from the school. Furthermore, selling or the distribution of vapes on school grounds will be reported to SAPOL and may incur fines. I encourage students to report any activity they witness around vaping. This can be done through multiple forums including:
- Talking to a teacher of leader
- Sending a Daymap message
- Reporting health and wellbeing concerns anonymously through Stymie (Stymie)
As parents, we play a vital role in addressing the issue of vaping among our youth. By educating ourselves and our children about the risks associated with vaping and fostering open communication, we can empower them to make informed decisions and resist peer pressure.
I urge you to join us in our efforts to curb the prevalence of vaping within our school community. Let us work together to educate our children about the dangers of vaping and support them in making healthy choices. Together, we can create a safer and healthier environment for our students to thrive.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding vaping or related issues, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Your partnership and support are invaluable as we strive to address this critical issue.
Student Induction Ceremony
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.” John C Maxwell
Student leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the culture and environment of schools. At Balaklava High School, the Student Council serves as a key pillar to a successful and vibrant school community that promotes opportunity for growth, collaboration, positive change and empowerment by representing the voice of the student body. Being chosen to serve on the Student Council is an honour and demonstrates dedication and commitment to BHS.
Through initiatives such as organising and running events, advocating for student concerns and fostering a sense of community, the Student Council symbolises the spirit of leadership and service. As Balaklava High School continues to nurture student leaders, it reinforces its commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers.
We look forward to seeing parents join us on Tuesday 19th March at 12:10pm in the BHS Gym.
This year, parents of students who have been selected to represent Balaklava High School have been invited to celebrate this achievement with their child at a light luncheon after the Student Induction Ceremony. If you would like to join your child at this event, please RSVP for catering purposes by calling the front office on 8862 0600.
Agriculture Committee
BHS extends an invitation to parents and community members to join our Agriculture Committee, either through active involvement in running our farm, contributions to our educational programs or simply through donation of resources or services.
Agriculture is not just a subject in our curriculum; it's a vital component of our rural community's identity and future. Your expertise, insights and support will help us create a dynamic agricultural program that equips our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the ever-evolving agricultural landscape.
By joining this committee or being involved in some way with our program, you have the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the agricultural education and experiences of our students and help prepare them for diverse career paths in a crucial industry.
