15th May 2009

INFORMATION BULLETIN NO 8 15 May, 2009 P O Box 1261, Devonport 7310.

PH: 6420 8100

Dear Family Members of the Reece Community You will find attached a new smoking policy which has been developed through consultation with other High Schools on the North West Coast, The School Association, Reece Teachers and concerned citizens. This change in policy is in direct response to a concern about: The number of students who are new to the school, some who are in Grade 7, smoking or choosing to associate with smokers in and around school; the number of adults who walk into the school grounds or drive into the school grounds smoking; the handful of students who are smoking in public places and are in Reece High School uniform; and students who are collected from school by friends and family members who allow smoking. Reece High school is government property and as such is by law a non-smoking area. On the matter of smoking the law is very clear – it is against the law if you are under 18. We have the right to enforce this law but we would like your assistance. The consequences are very clear in the policy but the real issue is smoking is a health hazard and costs the community enormous amount of money. The second matter relates to Literacy and Numeracy achievement. Parents of students with low literacy and numeracy would be aware, we have put many things in place to address this issue. Some students do not like to participate in support programs but low literacy and numeracy does impact on the child’s future. In addition we have been running an intensive literacy program in grade 7 this term and this has required additional teaching and teacher aide time. This intensive program will begin in Grade 8 in term 2. The literacy program is in addition to normal work on literacy and it is designed to both remediate and extend. This program is being closely monitored and we are hopeful that student’s skills will improve. You can help at home by encouraging your child to read regularly and having conversations around what they read to check understanding. Literacy and numeracy are skills that require practice, again and again. Please support us in this endeavour. Finally there have been older family members entering the school grounds without permission or hanging around being a public nuisance. The school has shared this concern with Devonport police and if it continues we will take the following action – call the police, issue trespass notification or take out a restraining order. We are loathe to do this but we want the public to know that we have had enough. Again we ask for your support. I hope this letter addressed some of the concerns that you have voiced. Regards

Sheree Vertigan Principal

Department of Education

Reece High School Cross Country On Tuesday the 5th of May our school Cross Country was held at the Devonport pool. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this years cross country carnival. All students ran a 4km track, except the grade 9 and 10 boys who ran 5km. The top 8 from each grade and gender will be representing the school at the Inter High Cross Country; held at Ulverstone on Wednesday 27th of May. Grade 7 Girls Winner – Courtney Dowling Runner up – Rebecca Howe

Grade 7 Boys Winner – Jack Triffett Runner up – Taylor Harris

Grade 8 Girls Winner – Kiara Daly Runner up – Trisha Pepper

Grade 8 Boys Winner – Hamish Bound Runner up –Dylan Meldrum

Grade 9 Girls Winner – Melisa Howe Runner up – Mieke Lizotte

Grade 9 Boys Winner – Chris Wray Runner up – Bohdie Ivory

Grade 10 Girls Winner –Danielle Hooper Runner up – Chelsea Nichols

Grade 10 Boys Winner –Rhys Evans Runner up – Jamie Hughes

The Devonport Rugby Club will be holding their annual fireworks on Saturday 23rd May at the club grounds in Richardson drive, Don. Everyone is welcome to attend with a gold coin donation asked for entry. The show will start at 7.30pm and there will be entertainment, food, and drinks available before and after the show. Come along for a spectacular evening.

18th May

9A & B camp

20th May

Grade 7 camp

21st May

School Social

27th May

Inter High Cross Country

25th-29th May

Work experience for 10 A & C

29th May

End of Term 1

15th June

Start of Term 2

3rd July

Student Free Day

Department of Education

Reece High School 2009 Smoke Free Policy This policy describes management of smoking within Reece High School. It reflects a concern for the health of both employees and students and is based on current legislative requirements and educational practices.

Our aim is for students and adults to respect our smoke free expectations by choosing not to smoke at school. We intend to achieve this by promoting the non use of tobacco among students and adults. We commit to: a. Total elimination of tobacco use on school property and at any school activities during the week or weekend. b. Total elimination of tobacco use while in school uniform anywhere within the community. c. Providing educational programs to help students resist tobacco use and provide support for adults (employees and parents) and students to stop smoking. d. No parent or community member smoking in a car in the school grounds or at a school event off campus. Our Policy (and practice is) Reece High School is a non smoking environment where the use of tobacco products will be prohibited on all school property and at school sponsored events. Responsibilities The success of this policy will depend on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of smokers and non smokers. All people on the school premises share responsibility for adhering to and supporting this policy. Students  Abide by the requirements of the policy.  If a smoker, actively seek support to stop smoking.  Support peers to stop smoking.  Remove themselves from an area where smoking is occurring. Staff  Abide by the requirements of the policy.  Provide knowledge on both the health effects of tobacco smoking and the skills necessary to cease using an addictive substance.

 

Encourage and support smokers to stop smoking. If nominated by a student, act as their “stop smoking” support person/mentor/coach/encourager.

Parents/Community  Abide by the requirements of the policy  If their child smokes, actively encourage them to seek help and support them to stop.  Being supportive of any sanctions/consequences the school has imposed as a result of a student “smoking” or socially mixing with a student who is smoking.

Breaches of the policy For the purpose of this policy a student smoker is someone who is smoking or in possession of cigarettes, matches, lighter, tally-ho or in the company of a student who is smoking. The five metre rule applies to student in proximity. In addition if students are out of uniform but within 500 metre of the school boundary, they will still be seen as being in breach of the smoking policy. Staff The State Services Act is very specific about requirements for staff to not smoke on school grounds. The act outlines actions that result from breaches of the act. Students Breach 1 a. Two lunch time and two recess time exclusions from the playground. These will be supervised one on one by a staff member. b. A support program will be offered. Student will be asked to nominate a staff member as a “stop smoking” support person/mentor. c. Parents informed by letter. Breach 2 a. Repeat of (a) b. Support staff member contacted to check if student has followed through with seeking help. c. Parents invited to interview with Principal, Assistant Principal and students. Letter confirming agreement sent home after interview. Breach 3 a. Parents asked to supervise their child during recess and lunch times off campus. If the parent is unable to supervise their child, the child will be suspended for 1 day in the 1st instance Breach 4 a. Automatic suspension Parents/Community A member of school staff, student or community can approach someone smoking on school property saying.... “Hi, I would just like to remind you that we are a smoke free school, can you please put out your cigarette or leave the school grounds” The Principal reserves the right to seek police assistance if a person is being uncooperative.

Sheree Vertigan Principal

Karen Smith RHS Association Chairperson