Pastoral Care
Maintain Momentum
Regular attendance helps maintain academic momentum. Missing the last days of a term can disrupt this flow, making it harder for students to re-establish their learning routine after a break. Communicating high expectations for school attendance right up to the end of each term shows that you value the importance of regular school attendance.
Each day your teen attends school, they’re shaping their future success.
Vaping: Why is it attractive?
Young people can be drawn to vaping for a number of different reasons including peer pressure, accessibility and affordability, the belief that vaping is harmless and curiosity. Sometimes a family member who vapes can also influence children and young people to try vaping.
This short video provides some insights into why vaping is attractive to young people and is important viewing before parents and carers use the conversation starters at home.
Conversation Starters
Be ready to have these conversations with your child with a sense of calmness and interest in what they have to say. Be ready to listen to their responses without jumping in too quickly to correct them. Choose your timing wisely, perhaps during a relaxed moment at home, when driving somewhere together, or when no other stress or distractions are present.
- Why do you think more children and teens are vaping? Listen to understand. Your child may mention one of the reasons listed above or have another opinion. This conversation starter opens the door to healthy dialogue.
- Could you confidently say no if you were offered a vape? How could you do this? Help your young person create an ‘exit plan’ if they are offered a vape.
- How do you think the person offering you the vape would react to you saying no? How might that make you feel about this friendship?Now might be a good time to talk about what your child values in their friends.
Peer pressure can be powerful, so coming up with realistic action steps and practising them together in a safe environment will prepare and empower your child to make good choices when it matters. Remind them that not everyone is vaping. There are many young people making healthy choices to say no.
Mrs Krystal Brady - Leader of Pastoral Care