Welcome to Term 3.  It has been uplifting to be back with the students this last week, as I return from 12 months of maternity leave.  On Friday we met as a College and I spoke to the students about some of the expectations we have of them as students of our College.  Our school rules are displayed in each classroom and underpin our Behaviour Management Policy.

• Ensure my behaviours and attitudes are respectful towards myself, other students, staff and property
• Place safe behaviours at the heart of all we do
• Come to the learning environment on time, prepared and ready to participate in the learning experiences

Following is a summary of Friday’s assembly for your information. 

Hair

Girls’ hair is to be of suitable length and style and should not bring undue negative attention to themselves or the College. Hair should be of one natural colour, cut no shorter than a no 2 blade and undercuts, tails, tracks, shaven strips and extreme haircuts which draw attention to the student are not acceptable. Hair must be kept neat and clean – not messy and untidy. Long hair touching the collar must be tied back and off the face. Hair bands and accessories should be plain and simple in the colours of bottle green, lemon, white or navy.

Boys' hair is to be of suitable length and style and should not bring undue negative attention to themselves or the College. Hair should be of one natural colour, cut no shorter than a no 2 blade and undercuts, tails, tracks, shaven strips and extreme haircuts which draw attention to the student are not acceptable, e.g. ‘afro’, Mohawk style, Beckham, ‘mullet’, dread locks, man buns etc. Hair length must not be over the collar or over eyebrow and hair must always be kept neat and clean – not messy and untidy. Boys are to be clean-shaven at all times with side burns no longer than the ear lobe.

Boys who come to school unshaven, will be asked to shave at school.  Refusal to follow this direction will result in further consequences. 

Students were reminded that if their hair was deemed to breach the College expectations they would be asked to rectify it within a reasonable time frame given.  Your assistance and co-operation with this would be much appreciated.

Jewellery

The only items of jewellery permitted for girls are unobtrusive, plain gold or silver studs or sleepers, maximum of one per ear in the ear lobe. The only visible piercings should be in the ear. All other piercings are to be removed. A wrist watch and a simple neck chain with a religious crucifix only. Boys are to have no visible jewellery except a wrist watch and a simple neck chain with a religious crucifix only.

Students were reminded that any infringement may result in confiscation. Confiscated jewellery is returned to students at the end of each term. These will not be returned earlier to parents. Again, your co-operation with this is greatly appreciated. 

Relocation Process

Our process aims to maintain a safe, respectful learning environment. As a part of our relocation process, students are given the opportunity to identify and take ownership of their behaviour when they choose to disrupt during a lesson. This allows them to make the choice as to whether they would like to stop their disruptive behaviour or continue and be relocated. The following questions are to be used:

When a student is relocated to another class they are given a Relocation Action Plan. The purpose of completing the plan is so students can, identify and take ownership of their behaviour, identify how their behaviour affects others, and identify what actions need to take place so they can make better choices in the future. This plan is to be completed and returned to their Pastoral Academic Leader.

The next step in the process involves the student meeting with the Pastoral Academic Leader, who will review their plan, discuss it and ensure the student has completed it appropriately. In line with Restorative Justice Practices, the student will then discuss their plan with the classroom teacher to "repair the relationship" and negotiate their re-entry into the class. Students begin each term with a fresh start.

Finally, the last point I spoke to the students about was demonstrating respect to all staff members. Students were reminded that if they were asked to do something by a staff member, they were to follow this direction. There is no option for negotiating or refusal. This would result in further consequences for the student. If the student felt that they had been unfairly treated, the opportunity to speak to myself, their Pastoral Leader or their PC teacher would always be there to discuss the incident. 

Vaping

I have included some information from the Queensland Government site that addresses some truths about vaping. This website also has some helpful videos that you may wish to show your child to begin a discussion about vaping. We all know it is a growing trend within young people but are they aware of the health impacts and legalities of vaping?

What’s in Vapes?

Formaldehyde, arsenic and lead have all been found inside common vapes. These are toxic chemicals and may lead to serious health issues including cancer. You sure you want to puff this stuff?

The worst part is vapes often have incomplete labelling. This makes it hard to know just how many harmful chemicals you are putting into your body.

Some of the potentially harmful ingredients lurking in vapes include:

• propylene glycol (a solvent used in fog or smoke machines)
• polyester compounds
• anti-freeze (typically used in the coolant of a car)
• vegetable glycerin (a liquid derived from vegetable fat).

Other chemicals found in vapes can include volatile organic compounds (found in paint and heavy-duty cleaning products) and hundreds of carcinogenic additives known to be fatal.

Vapes may include flavouring that’s safe in food and drinks but not safe when inhaled.

The Health Effects

• Vaping is dangerous for your health and can cause poisoning, seizures, burns, and lung disease.
• Nicotine is highly addictive! Exposure to nicotine during adolescence can alter the structure and function of the brain.
• The chemicals inside vapes can cause cancer in the long term.
• People who have never smoked tobacco and use vapes are 3 times as likely to take up regular smoking than non-smokers who don’t vape.

Is it Legal?

In Queensland, vapes and electronic cigarette products containing nicotine are illegal unless on prescription and supplied by a pharmacist or through Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) processes.

Vapes are smoking products and subject to the same laws as tobacco or cigarettes.

This means that e-cigarettes cannot be:

• used in existing no-smoking indoor and outdoor places
• sold to children under 18 years of age
• advertised, promoted or displayed at retail outlets
• provided for sale in a vending machine.

If you think a retailer (other than a pharmacy) is selling vapes that contain nicotine, or selling vapes to anyone under 18 years of age, please report it to your Public Health Unit or call 13QGov (13 74 68).

Information taken from Vape Truths Site (initiatives.qld.gov.au). (Accessed 13^th July 2022.)