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 Grade 7 Boys

Winner – Courtney Dowling
Runner up – Rebecca Howe
Grade 8 Girls
Winner – Kiara Daly
Runner up – Trisha Pepper
Grade 9 Girls
Winner – Melisa Howe
Runner up – Mieke Lizotte
Grade 10 Girls
Winner –Danielle Hooper
Runner up – Chelsea Nichols
Winner – Jack Triffett
Runner up – Taylor Harris
Grade 8 Boys
Winner – Hamish Bound
Runner up –Dylan Meldrum
Grade 9 Boys
Winner – Chris Wray
Runner up – Bohdie Ivory
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 Karen Smith

Principal RHS Association Chairperson