Illalong Newsletter - 5 May 2023 | A.B. Paterson College

Vaping in Young People

Vaping has become an increasingly popular trend among school-age children in recent years, and its popularity is growing with each passing day. While some people may view vaping as harmless, the truth is that it can be extremely dangerous. Vaping can lead to a variety of health risks, including long-term respiratory problems, nicotine addiction, and even cancer.

There is a misconception amongst young people that vaping is just breathing in flavoured air. This is not the case, and there are many known harms that arise from vaping, with our young people at the greatest risk of harm. At present, there is no evidence to support any claims that vapes are safe - on the contrary, the evidence that has been obtained through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) shows that vapes can, and do, cause harm.

One of the biggest dangers associated with vaping is that it contains nicotine, an addictive substance that can lead to a variety of health risks. Some vapes and e-cigarettes can provide incredibly high doses of nicotine, some equivalent to the amount found in forty cigarettes. Exposure to nicotine has significant negative impacts on brain development, particularly for teenagers whose brains are still developing, which can lead to lifelong consequences. It can negatively impact mood, memory, and concentration, and may make it harder for children and young people to learn, concentrate, and control their impulses. These changes can be permanent. Vaping also produces particulate matter (PM) - very small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air. Being exposed to PM increases the risk of developing asthma and heart disease.

Vapes and electronic cigarette products which contain nicotine are illegal in Queensland (unless they are prescribed). Smoking, vaping or the use of electronic cigarettes is banned at all Queensland state and non-state schools, and for 5 metres beyond their boundaries. The law applies at all times-during and after school hours, on weekends and during school holidays.

In order to support our young people to make informed decisions about the actions they take, we ensure that our students are made aware of the health and legal consequences of vaping through the College SELF program, and through cohort meetings. We also encourage parents to have clear, open and constructive conversations with their children around the dangers of vaping to make sure that they understand the risks associated and the long-term impacts that vaping can have on their health. More information on the risks of vaping can be found in the following article: My teen's vaping. What should I say? 3 expert tips on how to approach 'the talk' (theconversation.com).

If you or your child would like to discuss further any of the information included in this article, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s Head of House or the College Counsellor.

Charlotte Brook | Head of Senior School

Year 9 Canberra Tour 2023

For our second visit to Canberra this year, 124 Year 9 students and 12 staff set off on Sunday 16 April, keenly anticipating the huge array of activities that awaited us with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy.

After an uneventful flight from the Gold Coast, our first stop was Circular Quay where we boarded our boat for a cruise around Sydney Harbour enjoying the wonderful views of all the key sites including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, before setting off on the buses to Canberra.

On the first day students were able to get a better understanding of how our democratic system works with visits to the Australian Parliament, Old Parliament House and the Electoral Commission, which involved role plays mirroring the debating and passing of a bill as well as tours of the buildings.

Over the next two days we rotated through a variety of different attractions with a historical, scientific or civic focus. The visit to the mint provided insight into the history of coin production in Australia and we were able to see how coins are minted and designed. Many students took the opportunity to mint their own coin. At the National Museum of Australia students enjoyed learning about Australia’s early history including a fascinating look into the relationship forged between early whaling families and killer whales in Eden, NSW.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the Australian War Memorial where we learnt about Australia’s role in conflicts around the world. One group was able to take part in the Last Post ceremony and students Gabriella Cannen and Ko Dejima laid a wreath on behalf of the College acknowledging the service of our Armed Forces over the years.

For those with an interest in sport the A.I.S. visit was much anticipated, and many enjoyed seeing the world class training facilities on offer and taking part in the activities at the Sportex exhibition. For those with more of an interest in science the visit to the C.S.I.R.O. provided a fascinating insight into the world of scientific investigation. Everyone enjoyed the visit to Questacon with the huge variety of hands-on activities to experience, including the zero-gravity slide. Our evening visit to the Mt Stromlo Observatory was a great success as we were able to star gaze and learn about the work of the scientists at the Observatory.

Over the week many friendships were formed and strengthened. On Thursday, we made our return to the College, with everyone agreeing it had been a fantastic week. The students should be very proud of the way they conducted themselves while away – they were a credit to their families and the College. I would also like to thank all the staff who accompanied us on the trip and made it such a success.

Alison Ward | Head of Lawson House

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding of $90 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

A.B. Paterson College Foundation News

Greetings to the A.B. Paterson College Community!

I am delighted to introduce myself as the new Head of Foundation and Alumni at A.B. Paterson College. I am pleased to join this community of learners, educators, and supporters, and I am thrilled to begin this exciting new role.

As Head of Foundation and Alumni, my primary focus will be on building strong relationships with our alumni and donors, nurturing a culture of philanthropy, and creating meaningful engagement opportunities for our community. I am committed to ensuring that our alumni stay connected with our school, while also working to enhance their experience and support their continued growth and success.

In addition, I will be leading our efforts to establish and strengthen our foundation, which plays a vital role in supporting the school’s mission and vision. A.B. Paterson College is proud to be a leader in educational excellence, as well as a provider of a supportive and nurturing community for students and their families. This cannot always be achieved through fees alone, so the A.B. Paterson College Foundation was established as an avenue to provide philanthropic support to the College and wider community, by raising funds to support our families in need, bursaries for students from families who wouldn’t otherwise have the means to attend the College and providing building and facility upgrades.

I come to this role with a wealth of experience in the field of fundraising and development. I am excited to work alongside our talented staff, students, and you, our supporters, as we work together to achieve our shared goals.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to meeting each of you and learning more about our school’s rich history and traditions. Together, we will continue to build upon the strong foundation that has been established and work to ensure a bright and successful future for our school and its graduates.

Finally, thank you to our community for welcoming me so warmly. I am really looking forward to working with you all. Please feel free to reach out to me via email tparker@abpat.qld.edu.au or phone on 5594 7947, I would be delighted to hear from you.