As the school year winds down, the desire to celebrate with friends steps up. Opportunities for social engagement with peers are important to adolescents and in many ways essential to their personal development of social and emotional capabilities, strengthening independence, and assessing risk to minimize the potential for harm. Being deprived of many opportunities to 'party safe' in the past two years due to Covid lockdowns and public health orders has impacted them to the extent their development has not been steadily progressive and now for some, it's time to 'go hard'.

While we have maintained a harm minimization approach to teaching and learning in this area of the health and wellbeing curriculum, and students in Years 10 to 12 attended workshops with Paul Dillion from the Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia, have you had a conversation with your child about partying safe?

Research indicates that teenagers are more likely to party safely if they are well informed about the possible risks, given some tips for partying safely, and take some time to plan ahead. Talk to the young people in your life about what they know about the risks associated with partying, such as:

• drinking too much, and how this can affect decision-making
• drink driving
• unsafe sex
• drink spiking
• drug overdose
• violence
• injury
• going out – general safety issues

Young people need to have some freedom, so they learn to become independent, but discussing your concerns is also important.

Tips include:

• Talk to your child about where they are going, who they are going with, what time they plan to come home and their travel arrangements.
• Tell your children that if things don’t work out with their transport arrangements, they can always call you for help at any time and you will pick them up (or arrange for someone else to, if possible). Don’t punish them if things go wrong as they may not ask for help again.
• Try to make sure they have money, a working mobile phone and other appropriate safety requirements such as a designated driver.
• Have the mobile phone numbers of your child’s friends and their parents in case of emergencies.
• Make sure your child has something to eat beforehand. A full stomach slows alcohol absorption.
• Encourage your child to stick with their friends and look out for each other.
• Arrange a ‘code word’ for your child to use over the phone if they secretly wish to be picked up, but don’t want their friends to know.
• Ask them to download the Emergency Plus App (which links to emergency services and indicated GPS location)
• Negotiate partying rules
• Parties are likely to go much more smoothly if you negotiate the rules beforehand. Tips include:
• Establish reasonable and clear-cut rules together: for example, curfew times and the acceptable number of alcoholic drinks.
• Make sure your child has input into the decision making.
• Talk about why the rules are important.
• Make sure there are consequences if your child doesn’t follow the rules. Work collaboratively to come up with these so they feel like they have ownership over them too. Some examples of consequences might be not being able to use their phone for a period of time having to do extra chores.

Party at a friend’s house

The ground rules in one house can be different to those in another. If you are concerned about your child attending a party at a friend’s house, ask your child if it’s okay if you call the host’s parents. You can then find out if drinking and smoking will be allowed, and if there will be adults around to supervise.

Arrange to collect your child at an agreed time

Party at home

With a few simple plans in place, a good time can be had by all – even the parents.
Tips include:

• Register the party with police at least one week in advance.
• Have adults on hand who are not drinking to monitor the party and act as ‘bouncers’. A good ratio is one adult to every 7–10 guests.
• Ask gate-crashers to leave immediately or threaten that the police will be called. Follow through with your threats.
• If you are concerned, consider hiring a security guard – it may seem extreme, but it could give you (and your guests) additional peace of mind.
• Insist that the party is invitation only. Ask your child to ask their invited friends not to SMS the details to anyone else.
• Indicate clearly on the invitation whether the party is ‘alcohol free’ or if alcohol is provided or is BYO. Say whether cigarette smoking is permitted. State firmly that illegal drugs are not welcome.
• Clearly state the start and finish time on the invitation.
• Invite parents of party guests to call beforehand for more information.
• Serve plenty of food, water and soft drinks.
• Don’t serve home-mixed alcoholic drinks or put alcoholic drinks in large containers such as punch bowls, as guests will find it hard to keep track of their drinking. Standard drinks served in standard-sized glasses or bottles are easier to monitor.
• Be aware of the laws about serving alcohol to minors. In Victoria, it is an offence to provide alcohol to minors on private property without parental consent.
• Avoid self-service of alcohol. Nominate one responsible, non-drinking adult as ‘bar person’.
• Consider a party with a focus (such as a theme or live band), as they tend to distract guests from continuous drinking.
• Be vigilant if you have a swimming pool – intoxicated guests may fall in.
• Have a plan of action if a guest becomes drunk, abusive or ill. Always call 000 in an emergency.
• Make sure that each guest has a safe way to get home. Call their parents if necessary.
• Turn the music down after midnight.
• Secure all valuables on your property.
• Call the police if you feel that a situation is beyond your control.
• While initiating this kind of conversation may feel forced or awkward, speaking from experience, you and your child will feel more confident in “partying safe” and hopefully they will get the message that you trust them and that no matter what you will always be there as back up should the need ever arise.

And on the subject of Vaping

Vaping is a new phenomenon that most parents know little about. Unfortunately, much of the information available appears confusing due to the current debate around the issue. Public health groups have successfully lobbied government to restrict access to vaping, believing that it could lead to increasing numbers of young people smoking. Harm reduction advocates, however, claim it will assist those who want to quit smoking and save lives. However, did you know that under Australian law, it is illegal to buy, possess or use liquid nicotine for vaping without a prescription from a GP. Each state has its own penalties which range in fines from$1,100 (NSW) to $30,00 or up to 2 years in prison (ACT).

I have included several parent resources below to assist you in dealing with this very complex area. Whilst Paul Dillon was unable to deliver a Parent Education Program (PEP) talk for us this year, we have him locked in for 2023. In the meantime, you may find the link in this edition to one of his online seminars for parents helpful.

In optimism & kindness,

DONNA NAIRN
Director of Counselling

Acknowledgements & further resources

Partying Safety: Tips for Parents
Party Safe Checklist for Parents

Vaping Resources for Parents

DARTA Fact Sheet for Parents
DARTA Information Sheet for Parents: What if you discover your child is vaping?
DARTA Information Sheet for Parents: How to respond to common vaping statements
Vaping Resources for Parents

At Woodleigh, Adventurous Minds Day is an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in an area of passion. We encourage families to plan the day, look for opportunities that are outside and do not involve technology, and if possible, something creative.

While staff will remain on campus writing student reports, this will be a student-free day.

I look forward to hearing about and seeing your adventurous minds day projects.

DAVID BAKER
Principal

The week opened with our VCE Arts and Design Exhibition and Arts Week Showcase on Monday night. Product Design, Visual Communication, and Studio Arts artworks, products, and solutions, spread across the Elisabeth Murdoch Gallery. Three hundred people were in attendance; David Baker and Arts Week Director, Bryn Bowen opened, Milani Khoza introduced the show and was awarded our inaugural Woodleigh School Acquisition Prize.

Artists in residence this year were; David Booth, Sophie Harle, Fiona Cabassi, and Woodleigh Alumni, Pip and Remi Chynoweth and Cassius Tutton.

Tuesday’s highlight was The Great Pottery Throwdown; a woke mix of the Melbourne Cup meets Art School. Students vs. Staff. We laughed, we saw, we cheered. Staff blew us away with their spinning, and students met the challenge, making a cup with a handle within 5 minutes. The winner, student, Sophie Matthews, Year 9, took a block of porcelain as her prize. Jaymi, our pre-service Product Design teacher made a deconstructed postmodern cup that won the heart of the judge, ceramicist and artist, Sophie Harle.

Minimbah and Penbank ECC students visited and viewed the artworks in the gallery, led by Year 12 Studio Arts students, Milani Khoza, Summer Johnson and Lally Penna. The ECC children drew in the gallery with artist, Fiona Cabassi, they made a raku fish with Sophie Harle to contribute to a wind chime. They were absolutely inspired.

David Booth worked on our newly appointed ‘Soft Space’ in the Visual Arts Studio 2 with a small group of students. Students have led this project, self-directing the creation of tables, cushions and a mural. Bass Peach and Brook Boscott (Year 7) created food-inspired soft sculptures. Sophie Harle led cross-age pottery workshops; students have found joy and confidence through working with the medium. Fiona Cabassi worked with students from Year 7-11, directing and contributing to a collaborative paper installation in the gallery’s Studio. Past students, Pip and Remi Chynoweth worked on a lino print mass hessian quilt, which will find a permanent home in Visual Arts studio 1. Cassius Tutton shared their expertise in Graffiti and lead art workshops with senior students. This amazing tapestry of art, design, immersion, and culture was so inspiring.

We look forward to continuing the excitement and curiosity for Arts Week 2023.

EMMA CLEINE
Head of Visual Arts

The Woodleigh debating teams have had a really successful year in 2022 with many wins and best speaker awards throughout the competition season.

As well as the Senior Team (Alex Mathews, Bridget Richards, and Tealia Holmes) making it to the Quarter Finals (meaning they were undefeated in every competition), the year was capped off by two of our students being awarded Swannies.

The Swannies are awarded to the best speakers in a single grade from around Melbourne. So, a massive congratulations to Bridget Richards and Lillian Carter who both received 2022 Swannie Awards for the Mount Eliza region; Bridget for the A Grade (Year 12) competition and Lillian for the D Grade (Year 9). The awards were presented at a public ceremony at Methodist Ladies College earlier in Term 4.

MARNEY POPE
Debating Coordinator

Some of us already knew this, but now the secret is out: Physics is fun! Just ask any of the Year 10 and 11 Physics students who were able to test their knowledge and nerves recently at Gumbaya World’s Senior School Physics Program.

Starting gently, by calculating their speed on the Tree Swing, students worked their way through transformations of energy on the Mining Race Coaster, practically assessed the conservation of momentum in Desert Derby dodgem-car collisions

before considering centripetal force and torque while pulling up to 7g on the Rebel giant swing.

Each activity was a combination of experience, measurement, calculation, and discussion about aspects of motion studied across the Year 10 to 12 physics courses. Students applied their learning and extended their queries into other parts of their studies such as the electrical circuit powering the dodgem car and rates of electrical energy needed to operate the various rides or parts of the amusement park.

Congratulations to all students for being respectful ambassadors for Woodleigh School, plus for their enthusiasm and skills in applying their knowledge and skills in physics and mathematics, surviving then solving the various challenges that were presented.

CASS KITTO and GREG DAVIES
Physics Teachers

The last weekend of Term 3 was the final trip to Mount Rothwell Conservation Reserve made by the Woodleigh School Field Gnats for 2022. Mount Rothwell is a 400-hectare fenced property located near the You Yangs, and is crucial to the recovery of many threatened species.

We departed Woodleigh School at 8:30am on the Saturday. Everyone was excited about returning to Mount Rothwell for the third time this year. We also had some newcomers joining, including Mrs de Jong who lent some much-needed assistance to Doc Simpson and Mr Hennessy (as well as providing some delicious snacks; yum!).

We set out to work at once starting with cleaning out the pens that are part of the captive breeding program for the endangered Bush-Stone Curlew. We were all delighted to see there were some newly hatched chicks in with their parents.

Also needing some enclosure cleaning and refurnishing were four Spotted Tailed Quolls (mainland Australia’s largest surviving native predator). While groups set to work weeding and cleaning out animal pens. Others ventured out into the reserve to retrieve browse (the name given to cut branches the animals get enrichment from), fallen logs, and leaf litter to line the enclosures.

Mt Rothwell is preparing to capture and release Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies onto a large reserve near Avenel, so we finished off the day with a walk around the reserve where we placed hay into traps. By placing hay, we are encouraging the animals to investigate the traps prior to the proposed relocation date.

After completing the days' jobs, we returned to the main centre where Mr Hennessy prepared some lovely Gnocchi Carbonara (and Creamed Spinach Gnocchi for the vegos). While dinner was underway, animal feed out took place where Curlews, Dingoes and Quolls were given their evening tucker. A round of Mt Rothwell bingo was played after dinner where students attempted to spot up to 5 species within the picnic area. The prize was a packet of Maltesers. Once the winners were declared, everyone prepared for a night walk through the reserve ending on the lookout where everyone could see the Melbourne skyline. Bettongs, Bandicoots, and even small elusive quolls were spotted by the excited students and staff. A particular highlight was witnessing a small group of Eastern Bettongs in the woodland, Eastern Bettongs are extinct in Victoria and were only released at Mt Rothwell in 2020.

Sunday was another productive day. Some early risers took a walk up the hill to see Brush-tailed Rock Wallabies with Mr Hennessy leading the group. Liam, a newly christened Field Gnat, also spotted a Little Eagle patrolling the hillside. After this walk, a good breakfast was in order, after which we returned to our work on the animal pens. Soon it was packing-up time, followed by lunch. This was a highly productive weekend and we’d like to thank ex-Field Gnats Lucy, Alex, Callum and Carl for tagging along to help, a wonderful way to conclude 2022 for the Woodleigh Field Gnats.

Now we look forward to what next year brings and what we can hope to contribute in 2023 to this and our other wonderful partner organisations.

"Mount Rothwell was a fabulous weekend spent with a passionate group of Woodleigh students, past and present. For anyone wanting to have some time in nature, the Field Gnats are a supportive group with a keen interest in our environment and care of wildlife. We spent time exploring this beautiful landscape, refurbishing the Curlew and Quoll enclosures, and walking through the fauna-rich terrain. A lot of work was achieved, and I am looking forward to being part of this program again in the future."

Andrea de Jong

THOMAS HENNESSEY
Animal and Land Management

Namalata, the Woodleigh School Community Magazine, is back after a 7-year pause! Full of engaging stories about the goings-on from all corners of the Woodleigh community, it’s a beautiful publication of all that makes Woodleigh a place of such rich culture and purpose.

A print copy will be sent to current families in the coming weeks. The online version can be accessed via the Woodleigh website.

KAREN CHARLTON-MILLS
On behalf of the Community Team

The Student Conveyance Allowance only applies to students attending the Woodleigh Campus located at Langwarrin South and students attending the Penbank Campus located at Moorooduc.

The allowance allows families in regional areas to receive help with the cost of transporting their children to their nearest school or campus. The conveyance allowance is a contribution towards transport costs and is not intended to cover the full cost and is available to students travelling by public transport, private car and private bus.

Completed applications are due by Friday 11 November, 2022. This is your LAST CHANCE to submit your application for any travel in 2022.

For further information, read on:

The Victorian Minister for Education has amended the definition of the closest appropriate school/campus (Instrument of Specification). This may impact some of our families who have been unable to make a claim in the past or deemed ineligible.

Both Woodleigh School and Bayside Christian College are registered the same and classified as same type schools. Therefore, previously if you lived closer to Bayside Christian College you would have been deemed ineligible to receive the conveyance allowance. However, parents can now apply for consideration by providing a “signed letter” to the school why the closest school of the same denomination is not appropriate for their child. You must include your child’s name and demonstrate the below points:

• The student does not belong to, or associate with, the school’s particular religion, or engage in religious activity associated with the school’s religious doctrines; and
• The relevant school’s compulsorily requires its students to engage in religious activity associated with that religion or religious doctrines.

The Department of Education and Training will review individual applications on their merits. Please note that you must still meet the main criteria listed below.

Completed conveyance application forms must be signed by the parent or guardian (page 4) must and submitted to the School.

If you have previously submitted a form and there is no change to mode of transport or address details you are not required to complete a new form for 2022.

New forms must be completed for students attending the School for the first time or existing conveyance allowance claimants who have a change of circumstances affecting eligibility. For example:

• Moving residence or changing their mode of transport;
• Changing schools/campuses. Ie Penbank Campus to Senior Campus

The Department of Education and Training’s main criteria for student eligibility is:

• The School attended is the nearest appropriate school. (or attach a supporting letter as per above)
• The student resides more than 4.8kms from the school by the shortest practicable route.
• Students are of school age 5 – 18 years and enrolled at school for 3 or more days per week.

To apply for a conveyance allowance, parents are required to complete the appropriate forms.

1. Travel by contract bus: “Conveyance Allowance Application – Private Bus Travel”
2. Travel by myki bus: “Conveyance Allowance Application – Public Transport Travel". Must provide prove of purchase ie copy of receipt or ticket.
3. Travel by car: “Conveyance Allowance Application – Private Car Travel” will need to be completed for each student, listing all students travelling in the nominated vehicle.
4. Combined travel: Each appropriate form will need to be completed as above, e.g. drive further than 4.8km to catch public transport (Private Car/Public Transport).

Please note for Woodleigh Campus families: If you live within 4.8km of public transport (ie one of our Myki buses) and choose to travel by private bus or car you will not be eligible to claim the conveyance allowance.

The School will lodge 4 claims a year (1 per Term) with the Department of Education and Training. The Department will reimburse the school and the allowance will be credited to your fee account in instalments. Completed applications need to be received by Friday 12 August, 2022 to be included in the claim.

• Contract Bus Reimbursement is determined on the basis of the shortest practicable route from the student’s residence to the school and not the actual distance travelled in the bus.
• Public Transport The cost of fares is fully refundable.
• Private Car Reimbursement is made on the basis of the one-way distance travelled per vehicle and the number of students in that vehicle. Payment is made to the family operating the vehicle.

If you have any queries please contact Robyn Kent on 5971 6100 or email rkent@woodleigh.vic.edu.au.

Vaping (the use of e-cigarettes or 'vapes') continues to be an issue that attracts a great deal of attention as well as debate across the country. Vaping is a new phenomenon, with the first e-cigarette being invented in 2003. As a result, many parents have little or no experience with the issue as the devices simply weren’t around when they were in their teens.

This session, run by Paul Dillon of DARTA, will examine what we currently know about the use of e-cigarettes and vaping amongst Australian school-based young people. This is an area that is constantly changing and parents attempting to make sense of the information provided by both the ‘pro-vaping’ and ‘anti-vaping’ lobbies may find it extremely difficult to navigate. As we move towards the end of the school year parents are likely to need as much assistance as possible.

Cost: $25 plus GST This event will be live-streamed but, for those unable to attend live, a recording of the event will also be made available for a period following the event's conclusion.To register for the event please click here.

Please note that this webinar is not organised by Woodleigh School so please use the links above for more information.

DONNA NAIRN
Director of Counselling

At the end of this year, four staff and thirteen Year 10 and 11 students will be travelling to Cambodia to work in partnership with Chumkriel Language School (CLS).

Woodleigh has been in Partnership with CLS since 2008. Staff from CLS have visited Woodleigh numerous times. The school provides free education in English and Khmer, as well as family support: including basic housing sanitation, water, recreation, and hygiene/health activities.

Each year we run an annual Cambodian Music Night to raise funds for CLS; there's food and music, and the money raised will be used by the school to buy new computers for their students and staff. We'd love to see as many of you there as possible! Tickets can be purchased at the link below. We hope to see you there for a night of brilliant live music, fun and to raise funds for a very important cause.

To find out more about the partnership and CLS click here, or click here to visit the Chumkriel Language School.

Thanks for your support,
THE CAMBODIA TRIP TEAM

Wanted: donations to be raffled off at our annual Cambodia Music Night on Friday 25 November.

We are hoping to receive raffle prize donations of the following: non-perishable food items for hampers, homewares, vouchers, artwork, and alcohol. Any monetary donations will also be gratefully received.

Please drop off your donations to Woodleigh Senior Campus reception by Thursday 24 November and include how you would like to be acknowledged.

CLS has specifically asked us not to bring donated stationary items, books, and sports equipment.

With thanks! We hope to see you there for what is always a fantastic night.

ROSIE CIAN on behalf of
The Cambodian Trip Team

Join us at Senior Campus on Friday 25 November from 5.30pm for the Annual Cambodian Fundraiser and help raise important funds for Chumkriel Language School!

Bring along your friends and family to a night of live music performed by Woodleigh students!

Be entertained by TOP STUDENT BANDS!

Pack a gourmet picnic or buy drinks on the night.

Most importantly, help raise funds for Chumkriel Language School in Kampot, Cambodia.

Tickets are just $10 for the audience, while performers come for free!

The Arty Market is back in 2022, and we need you!

Thought about starting a little creative side hustle? Got a killer cordial recipe? Need an excuse to get started? We need Arty Market stallholders for our upcoming whole-school event.

The Arty Market is a quintessentially Woodleigh occasion; a celebration of handmade, artisanal, quirky products, artworks, jewellery, food, and homewares designed and/or made by YOU!

We welcome stall holders who are students, staff, parents, and alumni. If you've been thinking about it, now's your chance! We will support you with signage, a trestle table, and assistance with setup.

The market will be held on Friday 2 December from 4pm - 8pm at Senior Campus, in the Visual Art Centre and Agora areas of the campus. Pop that date in your diaries folks!

It's free to have a stall at The Arty Market, however, a $20 stall donation would be welcomed. This donation contributes to the materials used for our student stalls; any profits on the day will be carried over for next year's event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

KAREN CHARLTON-MILLS
On Behalf of the Arty Market Committee

Pinch-a-Poo is an organization that supports the 1 in 5 Australians families who have to make the choice of buying food or personal hygiene products each week. Their vision is to make sure that every Australian has access to basic hygiene products. Pinch-a-Poo is run by an amazing lady, Kate Austin. Kate was a part of a domestic violence situation and had to leave immediately. Her first instinct was to grab her toothbrush and run. She knew that wherever she went, at least should could brush her teeth.

Click here to hear more about Kate’s story.

How you can help

I will start collecting donations from Tuesday 11 October. I am hoping to have all of the donations collected by 25 November. There will be a box at reception for all of the donations. Pinch-a-Poo is a really easy way to help out the less fortunate. All you need to do it pick up an extra toothbrush, toothpaste or some other toiletries when you go shopping.

Please only donate unopen items.

Items that they are in desperate need of include:

· Roll on deodorants

· Toothpaste

· Toothbrushes

· Face washers

· Singe Use Soaps

· Hairbrushes

Other items to donate:

· Shampoo/conditioner

· Body wash

· Body Lotion

· Deodorants

· Kids Toothbrushes

· Kids Toothpaste

· Razors

· Dental products (floss, mouthwash etc)

· Hair ties

· Sanitary Products

· Hand Sanitiser

· Skin care

· Hair care

· Makeup

· Lip Balm

· Fragrance

· Shaving cream

· Baby care

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the cause visit me in Homestead 1, email me at azzop24@woodleigh.vic.edu.au or visit Pinch-A-Poo.

Thank you in advance,

PHOEBE AZZOPARDI
Year 10