Student safety at the College. As a College we are aware that unfortunately, bullying occurs in our community. We endeavor to address bullying whenever we are made aware of it. Student surveys report that students are more likely to tell a friend, than a parent and maybe then a parent. With that in mind, Hennessy has worked with outside bodies such as the Cybersafety program to empower students to address bullying.

With this in mind, the College has begun to look at ways to:

• Build student resilience
• Ensure that peers know what to do when they are told about bullying
• Move students from being bystanders to upstander
• Ensure that students know how to report bullying and break the cycle

When speaking with students they often refer to not wanting to be a “Snitch”. Snitching appears to be an American jailhouse term that has entered the Australian language. It is important that students, their friends or parents empower each other to report bullying as this is one of the first steps in adressing bullying.

Next week the College will introduce an HCCY Student Safeguard. This will replace the Safeguard reporting system that is available via Compass.

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/contact-us/report-bullying

Vaping - Parent Help, social media, and what's in it.

 As a parent what can you do?

Talk openly 

Ask questions. Do they fully understand what it is, and the health implications? Do they understand the ties to big tobacco? If they don’t research it together. Find out if they are being pressured into trying or buying vaping products. Teach them the power of “no”. 

You are not a bad parent if your child is or has tried vaping. There are ways through this and some great resources to help can be found here. https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/

What is it?

A person "Vaping" inhales a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or another vaping device. 

E-cigarettes are battery-powered smoking devices that often look like cigarettes, cigars, pipes, pens, USB hard drives, or phone power bank chargers. 

They have cartridges filled with a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and chemicals. There are also non-nicotine liquids. 

The liquid is heated into a vapor, which the person inhales. That's why using e-cigarettes is called "vaping."

Tween/Teen Vaping, usage and Social Media

As of 29th September 2021 in Australia, 14% of 12-17-year-olds have tried an e-cigarette, and 32% had tried in the past month. 

The students who vaped reported getting the vape from a friend (63%), siblings (8%), and (7%), with around 12% reporting buying an e-cigarette themselves online. 

Social Media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok state that they will remove content or advertising relating to the sale or purchases of e-cigarette/vaping products on their sites. However,  a vast amount of vaping content is still shown on TikTok and Snapchat. Users are sharing their vaping products openly with other followers and users. Research from Standford University in 2020 has identified a strong link between promoting vaping via social media and the susceptibility of teens wanting to try vaping and being more willing to vape. 

What's in a vape and the effects

How is it purchased?

There is no age verification required on non-nicotine for vaping products and devices purchased online. Anyone can buy e-cigarettes and products online and have them sent to them regardless of age. 

In-store purchases of vape products and devices require a person to be 18+ and must provide identification.  

Australian Law.

 As of 1st October 2021, it was made illegal for all Nicotine vaping products and devices to be imported from overseas websites without a valid prescription from an Australian doctor. 

It is also illegal for Australian retailers such as tobacconists, 'vape' shops, or convenience stores to sell nicotine vaping products to consumers, even if they have a valid doctor's prescription. 

 Therefore, any product containing Nicotine cannot be purchased online or in a store without a prescription. 

 Non-nicotine vaping products and devices that do not contain Nicotine can still be purchased online and in stores. This is the most common type of product purchased by teens. 

Potential health implications.

Vaping is a relatively new product, and therefore the long-term side effects have not yet been fully identified; however, health experts are already reporting severe lung damage to people who vape, including some deaths. 

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Vaping also can contain Nicotine; even when the fluid is sold as nicotine-free, there are small amounts of Nicotine. Nicotine is the substance in tobacco (cigarettes) that makes it hard to stop or quit. 

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that produces a pleasing effect in the brain, which is very short and temporary, starting the process of addiction. The more you smoke or vape, the more your body craves the effect. This brief, pleasant feeling is why you feel pushed to reach for another puff of vape or cigarette. 

The non-nicotine vaping and e-cigarette products introduced to circumvent the laws introduced in Australia making nicotine vaping products illegal without a valid prescription contain glycerin/propylene glycol and flavourings to make it pleasant tasting palatable. The glycerin/propylene glycol and 8,000+ flavouring chemicals in e-cigarettes have only been approved for ingestion (eating). 

The manufacturers do not recommend that these chemicals be inhaled, as they have not been widely tested for their potential sensitizing, toxic, or irritating characteristics. 

Although vaping is often sold as a healthier option than conventional smoking, the non-nicotine version also causes health complications and problems. 

As always if you have any concerns please contact your child’s PC teacher, House Leader, or any member of the College’s Wellbeing Team

Mark Chifley

Assistant Principal