PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
After an action packed 10 weeks, Term 1 is drawing to a close. As I sit here and reflect on our start to 2025, I again feel a great sense of PRIDE for everything that we have achieved throughout the term.
These are just some of the happenings that have taken place in a busy Term 1.
- Year 7 Meet and Greet and Moonta Excursion
- BHS and Lower North Swimming and Athletics Carnivals
- Open Boy’s Cricket
- Year 12 Camp
- Elevate Program
- Student Led Conferences
- Governing Council AGM
- Student Council Camp and Student Leader Induction Ceremony
- NAPLAN
- AG Committee inaugural meeting
- Harmony Day
- BHS Formal
- BHS Major Fundraiser – Online Auction
- A range of curriculum-based excursions
End of Term Assembly and Early Dismissal
A reminder to our school community that there is an early dismissal next Friday for the last day of term. The school day will finish on Friday at 2:15pm. We also have a whole school assembly at 12pm in the Gym.
Student Free and School Closure Day
Our Student Free Days and School Closure Day (Adelaide Show) have been set for 2025. These are as follows;
TERM 2 – Student Free Day – Monday 28th April (Week 1)
TERM 2 – Student Free Day – Monday 23rd June (Week 9)
TERM 3 – Student Free Day - Friday 25th July (Week 1)
TERM 3 - School Closure Day - Monday 1st September (Week 7)
TERM 4 - Student Free Day - Friday 14th November (Week 5)
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.
Insert FACTS ABOUT VAPING PDF
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.
Last year, 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.
I’d like to wish all of our staff and families a restful and enjoyable Term 1 holidays. Enjoy the Easter period and I am looking forward to seeing our students representing Balaklava High School with PRIDE at our ANZAC Day Dawn Services around our communities. Take care and we look forward to seeing you all back for a rewarding Term 2.
Derek Friedrichs
Principal
Balaklava High School