To our Sacred Heart Community
Encounter Youth Information Evening
It was great to see so many of our Parents & Caregivers at last week’s Encounter Youth Presentation on ‘Young people, alcohol and parties’. For those who were unable to attend, Encounter Youth have graciously allowed us to share the presentation below for a period of 30 days. Please click here to access the presentation. We hope you find it worthwhile.
You can also access School TV for further information on drug and alcohol use. If you do have any questions about supporting your young people with regard to alcohol and parties, please don’t hesitate to contact Director of Students (Champagnat Campus), Wade Champion (wadechampion@shc.sa.edu.au) or Director of Students (Marcellin Campus), James Gill (jamesgill@shc.sa.edu.au) for a conversation.
Encounter Youth Information Evening
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SchoolTV – Vaping & E-Cigarettes
Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.
Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.
Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.
This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Encounter Youth have also shared the resources below with regard to vaping which you may find useful.
- https://med.stanford.edu/tobaccopreventiontoolkit/curriculum-decision-maker/by-module/E-Cigs.html
- https://www.encounteryouth.com.au/education/is-vaping-bad-for-you/
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the College for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Mission Australia Youth Survey
The Mission Australia Youth Survey is Australia’s largest online youth survey, providing a platform for young people aged 15 to 19 to ‘speak up’ about the issues that really concern them. Sacred Heart College has participated in the survey for the last three years, and the results play a pivotal role in informing our Pastoral Care Program and our support for student personal and social responsibility.
Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 will be completing the survey on Wednesday morning in Pastoral Care under the supervision of their Homeroom Teacher. Please be aware that student responses remain confidential and the survey will be completed individually.
SAPOL Sex Offence Awareness Program
Issues of consent and respectful relationships have been widespread and reported frequently in the media of late. To better inform our community, we have secured the SAPOL Community Engagement Team to deliver their Sex Offence Awareness Program to our Year 10 and 12 students on Wednesday.
The program covers sexually based offences and image-based abuse, as well as the very important aspect of consent, the laws, victims rights and choices and important contacts.
College Uniform Shop Trading Hours – Term 2 Holidays
A reminder the College Uniform Shop will reopen from Thursday 15 July during the Term 2 School Holidays.
- Thursday 15 July: 1.00pm – 6.00pm
- Friday 16 July: 1.00pm – 6.00pm
- Saturday 17 July: 9.00am – 1.00pm
Further information relating to the College Uniform Shop can be found here.
So, today is ‘Semester Changeover Day’ at Marcellin with Semester 2 commencing on Monday. This occurs because the number of weeks across the four terms needs to be balanced given when the final SACE Assessments need to be completed later in the year prior to the conclusion of Term 4. It’s not ideal but a lived reality in South Australian schools for decades.
During this week the Year 10 and 11 students have undertaken their Semester 1 exams which many found daunting, especially the Year 10 students who have not really undertaken such en masse exams before. It is all good practice!
‘Hearts in Hollywood’ was the theme of the Champagnat Arts students presentations, displays and performances on Wednesday evening before a capacity audience of families. It was so good to have an audience, unlike last year! The students and their teachers/tutors put on a fabulous show, highlighting a wide array of talent! The smiles and applause across the audience said it all!
Finally, tonight is the traditional Year 12 Formal at the Entertainment Centre. For many of the Class of 2021, it is amongst the highlights of their final year at Sacred Heart. No doubt the preparations by some have been furious? We look forward to a great evening of wholesome fun spent in fine company!
Steve Byrne
Principal
