Foxwell State Secondary College is proud of its culture and reputation for high expectations around behaviour, respectful relationships, student engagement, and of course kindness.

The vast majority of our school community lives and breathes our SPIRIT values and needs little reminder to live with integrity and do the right thing whether someone is watching or not.

Others, for a variety of reasons, need reminders, support and sometimes consequences to ensure they meet our College Community expectations.

To continually improve our school culture and ensure the safety and well-being of every member of our College community, we monitor and address inappropriate behaviours and acknowledge and reward positive behaviours. Our Student Code of Conduct clearly outlines our expectations and processes. 

Over the past month we have swiftly addressed some inappropriate behaviours reported to us including harassment, IT misconduct, offensive language, physical misconduct, and misconduct in the bike racks and on buses.

Be assured that these incidents have been investigated and consequences as outlined in our Student Code of Conduct have been imposed.

Where appropriate we have involved QPS and Queensland Health via our School Youth Health Nurse.

We have also worked in partnership with parents to address these behaviours.  

Whilst, due to privacy, we can not disclose the specific consequences to the community or even all involved parties, rest assured we take all breaches seriously. We remain proud of our proactive and responsive approach.  

One area of growing concern across Australia is vaping. Until recently, we were not aware of any instances of this in our College community.

Immediately after becoming aware of a student who was in possession of a vaping instrument. we acted in accordance with our Code.

Parents were involved, and consequences and an Education program were implemented.

I urge parents to be vigilant in relation to vaping and speak with your children as a matter of urgency.

As a school, we will deliver education to all students with the support of Queensland Health and QPS.

"Puff bars that are used to vape are becoming popular with teens on the Gold Coast. Puff bars are easily purchased online, some sites selling them for less than $10.00.

Each Puff Bar uses nicotine salts a formula that allows for much higher levels and efficient delivery of nicotine. Nicotine strength can be as high as 5% in Puff Bars.

Young people who vape are not only risking nicotine addiction — the effects of nicotine exposure could also be harming brain development, altering nerve cell functioning and changing brain chemistry"

Vaping is treated the same as cigarettes when considering disciplinary action at our college. This includes during school time and while travelling to and from school.

The second area of serious concern is social media and cyber bullying.

Although we can assist in this space through targeted education, and addressing incidents that cross our gates, we cannot address this alone.

I join parents in their astonishment and frustration about what I see students send or share via Social Media. 

Parents, you need to be vigilant.

You need to monitor and address your child's online interactions and behaviour.

It is not only your right to monitor their phones and iPads, it is your responsibility. 

You need to educate your child about the implications for them and others when misusing social media.

And, where necessary, you need to report cyber bullying or illegal social media behaviours, (including sexting or threatening messages), to Queensland Police Service. 

Whilst our school has a role to play in educating your child about the implications, we are not responsible for what your child is doing from your home or at the local shopping centre on the weekend. 

But let’s work together so we can make a difference and keep everyone safe and well.

Please remember that social media sites including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and SnapChat, have clear age restrictions which are in place to protect children from harm.

Make sure your child is not breaching these restrictions and accesssing apps or sites that are not age appropriate.

Please remember that if your child observes inappropriate behaviour at school or on the way to and from school, they are encouraged to report this, even ‘anonymously’.

This gives us the opportunity to address any issues immediately.

Let’s encourage our children to be upstanders, not bystanders. Parents, if you have concerns about student behaviour, please speak directly to one of Heads of Year, a Deputy Principal or me.

We cannot address behaviours of which we are not aware. 

I applaud members of our community who continue to proudly represent and promote our school in the local community. We are proud of our Foxwell College community and all that we are doing to provide a World of Opportunity for the secondary students of the Northern Gold Coast.

Until next time

Kym Amor