Andrew Watt – Principal

Vaping: A growing problem

E-cigarettes have been the most common tobacco product amongst our youth since 2014. This year, about 1 in 7 High School students reported that they had used electronic cigarettes, also known as vaping, in the past 30 days. A recent survey of almost 200 teachers working in Primary and Secondary Schools across Australia found that more than 70% of High School teachers found an increase in vaping among their students, whilst Primary School teachers reported a 27% hike among Primary School students. Interestingly, of those who had tried vaping, 18% used them at least monthly, compared to 6% in 2016.

We know that vaping is here to stay – and more and more of our young people are vaping. If we are to respond in an informed manner, it is important to know why. Some say that it is because it is offered in colourful and appealing flavours. A number of studies have found that e-cigarette flavours, which give off the perception of sweetness (such as candy or fruit flavours), make buying and trying e-cigarettes more appealing. Other say because it is easy to do and hide – in indoor areas, like bedrooms and bathrooms – and even in classrooms. The most commonly cited motives among young people were that they think they are cool or intriguing at 50%, and that they think they are less harmful than regular cigarettes at 46%. A further 44% of adolescent used the devices out of curiosity, whilst 42% vaped because a friend uses them. Many young people assume that vaping is harmless, just inhaling a nice-smelling fluid.

It is important that both parents and young people are educated on the dangers of vaping.

Students received the following information at the High School assembly on Tuesday:

• The impact of vaping on health is still unclear, but we do know that vapes that contain nicotine are very addictive and can harm developing brains, which continue to develop until 25 years of age.
• In terms of nicotine, trying to withdraw will have symptoms that can negatively impact mental health, and it may lead to feeling isolated, shamed and less confident.
• Individuals have also been poisoned by vape liquid when it comes in contact with eyes and skin. Vapes can contain harmful substances, including:
  • Nicotine
  • Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
  • Flavourings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease
  • Volatile organic compounds
  • Cancer-causing chemicals
  • Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead
• Possibly of most concern is the recent outbreak of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping. In February 2020, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 2,807 cases of lung injury, called EVALI, associated with vaping and 68 deaths attributed to that condition

Paul Dillon, Director of the Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA), provides us with both student and parent information evenings each year. His advice to parents is well worth a read, and can be summarised as follows:

1. Start with information
2. Approach it calmly
3. Don’t make assumptions
4. Don’t exaggerate
5. Focus on health and explain your concerns.

Chavayah update – working with Leket Israel

Kohlrabi picking with Leket Israel

Our Year 10 students are enjoying their first week in Israel, with visits to Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Masada. Recently, they engaged strongly in a volunteer experience with Leket Israel, the national food bank.

Leket strives to eradicate hunger through its various food rescue projects, providing food to more than 223,000 Israelis each week and distributing over 55 million pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables and 1.7 million hot meals a year. Our students worked in the fields with fellow volunteers, picking 2000kg of kohlrabi (five containers!) which will be distributed to 1250 families in need throughout Israel this week.

In addition to visiting different sites and learning about Israel, the Chavayah program provides a range of community service opportunities, educating the heart as well as the mind.

Year 6 Graduation and Pathways Event

This special event, involving staff, students and families, is one of the highlights of the Primary calendar. The audience enjoyed the formal graduation ceremony, which included speeches and presentations, followed by a special Shabbat service. Many thanks to our Year 6 teachers and Adam Carpenter, with his Jewish life team. Thank you to Ofer Levy for taking photos of this occasion. For more details of this wonderful morning, go to the Ma Koreh section of Ma Nishma.

Mazal tov

• Maya Sher’s sculptural work, ‘Corroded Inheritance’ has been selected to be exhibited in Art Express HSC 2023 Showcase! Her HSC major work is a personal attribute, alluding to ideas of decay transmitted via the trauma of the Holocaust. Maya’s work can be viewed at the Hazelhurst Arts Centre. We are very proud of Maya’s achievement, as well as Rebekah Keong’s expert guidance of Maya’s creative process. 

  

• Jasmine Barea’s HSC Drama exam has been nominated for possible inclusion in the 2022 HSC Showcases as part of OnSTAGE. OnSTAGE is an annual showcase of HSC Drama performances and projects and will be held at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre Sydney from 4 February to 10 February 2023. Fantastic work Jasmine!
• Aaron Berkowitz passed his Grade 8 violin examination this year
• Jacqui Cohen celebrated a belated Bat Mitzvah with all the Year 8 students, two of her children and colleagues last Friday.
• Sofia Berkovic, Lila Friedman, Summer Glass, Milla Goldberg, Isabella Hirst, Jonathan Igra, Leah Joshua, Noah Sherman and Gabrielle Seemann are finalists in the 2022 United Israel Appeal and Emanuel School Shorashim Project.

Shorashim finalists

Quote of the week

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” Henry Miller