INFORMATION BULLETIN NO 14

6 November, 2009
P O Box 1261, Devonport 7310. PH: 6420 8100

Professional Learning Day Proposal

Dear Parents and Carers

The Minister of Education has agreed that schools may request up to three professional learning days, in addition to the one day
designated by the Minister for moderation each year from 2009 to 2012. This enables all school staff to participate in professional
learning. On these days students do not attend.

We are seeking your support for three (3) additional professional learning days in 2010. These days will be beneficial for the
students of Reece High and are strongly supported by our School Association and our teaching staff. Additional professional
learning days have become common practice state-wide with the important aim of improving student learning outcomes. The days
will be used to provide whole staff professional development in a cost efficient way and will be timed to minimize disruptions
within the school year.

In 2010 it is our intention to use these days to continue our professional learning in several key areas:
 Tasmania Curriculum Framework: Learning Area development.
 School Improvement Plan review and redevelopment
 Teacher effectiveness

Separate from this proposal, under the conditions of the Teaching Award, teachers are required to undertake five professional
learning days outside normal school hours each year.

In addition Reece teachers undertake professional learning every three weeks after school. A complete professional learning plan
for 2010 will be available upon request early in 2010.

We would like to hold our professional learning on:

9th February; 30th July; 11th October

These three days are in addition to one day designated by the Minister for the purposes of moderation for the Tasmanian
Curriculum Framework. This day will be held on Monday 3rd May.

Parents will be reminded of these dates (or notified of any changes) through the school newsletter eight (8) weeks prior to their
implementation. The school will make appropriate arrangements for students who are unable to be supervised on professional
learning days at no cost to parents.

The Minister of Education is the only person who is authorised to change the attendance times for schools. He has indicated he
will approve change when less than 25% of families lodge an objection to the proposal. If you wish to register your opinion, please
complete the attached form and return it to Reece High School by 20 November 2009.

Please contact me if you have any queries.

Yours faithfully

Sheree Vertigan
PRINCIPAL
On behalf of the School Association

REECE HIGH SCHOOL

Middle Road, Devonport, Tasmania 7310

Ph (03) 6420 8100 Fax (03) 6420 8199

Email reece.high@education.tas.gov.au
 Professional Learning Days
CONFIDENTIAL

The Survey process will ensure that the Principal, School Association and Staff will not know how you voted.

Please tick one of the two boxes below

I Support the proposal 

I do not support the proposal 

Note

The Minister for Education is the only person who is authorised to change the attendance times for schools.
The Minister has indicated he will approve change when less than 25% of families lodge an objection to the
proposal.

If the proposal has parent and staff support as well as the support of the School
Association and the Minister approves the proposal professional learning days, the days will be taken on:

9th February
30th July
11th October

Any variation will be notified at least 8 weeks prior.

If you have any questions or comments about the survey or you would like more information, please contact
the Principal.

The survey can be returned to the Reece High School Office. The final return date for the survey is Friday
13th March 2009.

Mrs Paula Pearce

Returning Officer nominated by the School Association.

REECE HIGH SCHOOL

Middle Road, Devonport, Tasmania 7310

Ph (03) 6420 8100 Fax (03) 6420 8199

Email reece.high@education.tas.gov.au

Web http://www.reece.tased.edu.au/
Grade 9 Ecoventure Camp
This year the grade 9 Ecoventure classes will be participating in a camp at Arm River from the 10th-12th
November. Camp preparation is well under way in class and camp forms and permission slips have been
sent home, however a reminder that these forms, permissions slips and money need to be returned to the
office ASAP. If you have any queries please contact Casey Frimley or Nigel Woolley on 64208100

MST/Reece High Internet Safety Project

www.safeonline.org.au is a student created web site which has been designed to increase internet safety
awareness in young people. The web site was created by Reece High School students and focuses on all
aspects of internet safety such as cyber bullying, phishing (fraudulently acquiring sensitive information) and
helpful tips and advice. The students conducted a survey in the school and completed research into the safety
needs of young people before they created the site.

While the Internet is a great tool for learning, communication and entertainment, research shows some
ongoing, as well as new, challenges facing young people, schools and parents.

1. Online social networking – with teens communicating online, the potential is there for turning online
communication into real-life meetings which can be fraught with danger
2. Illegal content downloads – in a growing trend, teens are routinely downloading content without
parental knowledge or approval.

www.safeonline.org.au provides safety guidance for young users of the Internet and provides research on
problems young people face using this medium. The role of parents has been taken into consideration also with
advice to assist parents understand the potential threats to their children and provides guidance for correct
supervision.
The site will be launched at the school on 29 October and will be promoted to other schools and the local
community.
Well done to Dillon Brooks, Byron Davies, Cody Williams and Russell Burgess!
Supported by the office of Children And Youth Advisory Services(CAYAS) and
Department of Premier & Cabinet

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REECE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
Our major fundraising event for next year is catering for the Breathe of Life Concert to be held at Reece
High School on Saturday 27th March 2010.

We are asking for volunteers to assist us in our endeavours to raise much needed funds for the school.

Please complete the form below if you are able to assist us in any way and return it to the office as soon as
possible

NAME: ……………………………………………… PHONE : ………………………………………

 Energy Drinks
Energy drink consumption and sales have exploded in recent times. This has resulted in a proliferation of new brands and an
increasingly competitive market in which adolescents and young people form the core consumer group.

Research into the long term effects of energy drinks is limited and what research is available is coming from the United States.
In the past there has been a cautious approach to warnings regarding energy drink consumption but, as we learn more about the
associated risks, there is growing community concern. Some European countries have bans on the sale of some energy drinks.
At the moment, Australia has no bans or legislation in place, resulting in energy drinks being available for sale to the general
public and easily accessible to young people.

Following a recent professional learning session about the risks associated with energy drinks it was agreed to provide teachers
with some additional information and materials to:
 increase awareness of the potential risks of energy drinks
 increase awareness of the aggressive marketing of energy drinks to young people
 inform the school community of the physical, social and psychosocial risks associated with energy drinks
 provide ideas to support teaching and learning programs.

The information presented here, whilst not definitive, will provide teachers, school leaders and school communities with
sufficient information to make informed comment and decisions ranging from some short grabs of information for the school
newsletter or to inform more lengthy processes around policy.

In addition to this information, I have prepared three brief learning sequences based on the key understandings, standards and
stages of the Health and wellbeing curriculum. These learning sequences are designed to improve student understanding and to
challenge their perceptions of energy drinks consumption.

Some key facts

 The range of energy drinks now on the market has increased and continues to increase, Red Bull may have been the original
but it now competes with many more brands
 Energy drinks are available in a range of sizes from 375 ml cans to 500 ml cans
 Energy shots are a more recent addition to the energy drinks market and these are usually available in 30 ml shots
 Caffeine is the primary ‘boost’ ingredient of energy drinks and energy shots and with the amount of caffeine per drink ranging
from 80 mg to 200 mg
 To compare, consider the caffeine content of a range of drinks:
Espresso coffee 40-90 mg / 30ml shot
Percolated or drip coffee 75-125 mg / 250 ml cup
Instant coffee 20-40 mg / 250 ml cup
Tea 10-50 mg / 250 ml cup
Cola drinks 49 mg / 375 ml can
 Caffeine is a psychoactive drug and the world’s most widely consumed behaviour-modifying chemical. It is naturally occurring
in a range of plants and present in many foods and drinks we consume
 Caffeine is absorbed by the stomach, metabolised by the liver and eliminated from the body within two to 10 hours
 Caffeine acts on the CNS as a mild stimulant, it relieves drowsiness and speeds up reaction time. It also has a mild diuretic
effect
 Energy drinks will also contain taurine, ginseng, sugar, salt and guarana
 Energy drinks high in sugar can contribute to weight gain, some low kilojoule energy drinks are now available
 Some side effects from energy drink consumption include stomach upsets, irritability, sleep disruption, blood pressure changes
and heart arrhythmias for those sensitive to stimulants
 Energy drinks and sports drinks are not the same and serve different purposes. Caffeine has no nutritional value whereas
sports drinks will replenish important nutrients lost during vigorous exercise. Sports drinks are a separate issue and require
further investigation on their value for children and young people
 There is little research on the short and long term effects of caffeine on children
 However, it is recommended that children are not given drinks containing caffeine. They can suffer disturbed sleep patterns,
bedwetting and anxiety just from one cup of coffee or one can of energy drink
 Energy drinks are addictive and their consumption is habit forming; many young people are increasingly dependent on energy
drinks to cope with a hectic lifestyle that includes school, part-time work, socialising and sport commitments
 Many young people are consuming energy drinks as a meal replacement and to provide them with an ‘energy boost’
 Many adolescents and young people will experiment and consume energy drinks in combination with alcohol thus combining a
stimulant and a depressant. This has the potential to lead to increased risk taking and anti-social behaviours
 Energy drinks are being aggressively marketed to adolescents and young people
 Many parents are not fully aware of the physical and social impacts of energy drinks
 DrinkWise Australia Ltd Tel: 61 3 99354700
Level 1, 34 Queen Street Fax: 61 3 99354777

ABN 46 112 783 114 Melbourne VIC 3000 www.drinkwise.com.au

MEDIA RELEASE
22 SEPTEMBER 2009

NEW DRINKWISE WEBSITEGIVES PARENTS THE FACTS ABOUT KIDS AND

DRINKING
As part of its latest campaign – KIDS AND ALCOHOL DON’T MIX – DrinkWise has launched a brand new fully interactive
website at DrinkWise.com.au, designed especially to help parents access facts and expert advice about kids and drinking, as
well as have their say about the issues.

Parents are invited to select their child’s age and review a comprehensive list of common questions and discussion points,
related to the child’s particular age group. See these examples of what’s on offer for you:
Parents-to-be
• How your alcohol consumption affects your baby
• Encouraging family and friends to be better role models
• Making fun of people who don’t drink

Parents with children aged 06 years

• How your alcohol consumption affects your child
• What influences your child’s attitude to alcohol
• What to do if your child’s friends’ parents have different rules about alcohol

Parents with children aged 712 years

• Letting your kids try your drink
• Setting boundaries and establishing rules about drinking alcohol
• When should you discuss alcohol with your kids

Parents with teenagers

• How to tell if your teenager has started drinking but won’t tell you
• Drinking at home with your child
• Impact of alcohol on the adolescent brain

Parents have the option to vote on a particular issue such as “Do you think your alcohol consumption affects your kids?” and
the results are updated instantly to reveal the consensus from the active online parent community. They are also invited to
register to become an active contributor and receive invitations to upcoming events.

Highly respected and authoritative experts, including Royal North Shore Hospital’s Emergency Registrar and What’s Good For
You host, Dr Andrew Rochford, and family and child psychologist, Dr John Irvine, then provide professional advice on these
issues and more.
1
Chris Watters, CEO of DrinkWise Australia, said the website was developed in direct response to research which showed that
over half (51%) of parents indicated they had insufficient tools, knowledge and support to delay the age at which their child first
started drinking alcohol. “We’ve created a place for all parents, no matter what age their children, to go with questions and
concerns related to kids and drinking. From pregnant mothers through to parents with teenagers, it’s a dynamic online community
offering expert advice but also the opportunity to share opinions and initiate parenttoparent conversations.”

KIDS AND ALCOHOL DON’T MIX is a continuation of the generational change journey that DrinkWise commenced last
year with its successful KIDS ABSORB YOUR DRINKING campaign which informed parents that children form their
attitudes toward drinking from a young age.

DrinkWise is an evidencebased not for profit research and social change organisation that fosters innovative approaches towards
developing and maintaining a safer drinking culture in Australia. DrinkWise relies on key independent research and clinical advice
which has informed the development of this campaign.

1
Quantum Market Research, 2009. Parents of Tweens and Alcohol. Quantitative Findings. February 2009.

For further information, please contact Belinda Aspinwall on 0448 120 976, Lelde McCoy on 0417 362 768 or The
Reputation Group on 03 9820 2633.
 Grade 10 Dinner and Final Assembly
on Tuesday Dec 15

CALENDAR DATES TO REMEMBER 2009

November
4-5 Athletics Carnival

10 – 12 Grade 9 Ecoventure Camp – Arm River Camp

17
Inter-High Athletics

27 Show Day

December

2 Recreation Day

2-4 Grade 10 Ecoventure Camp – Sisters Beach

7 Student Free Day - Professional Learning

8 Grade 6 Orientation Day

11 Walk-a-thon

15 Grade 10 Final Assembly

15 Grade 10 Dinner - 6 for 6.30

17 End of Term 3 - Grade 7-9 Final Assembly

REECE HIGH SCHOOL

Middle Road, Devonport, Tasmania 7310

Ph (03) 6420 8100 Fax (03) 6420 8199

Email reece.high@education.tas.gov.au

Web http://www.reece.tased.edu.au/