Page Contents

• Rationale, Purpose

• Guidelines for Smoking, Vaping and Alcohol

• Recommended Consequences for Smoking, Vaping and Alcohol

• Guidelines for Illicit Drugs

• Recommended Consequences for Illicit Drugs

• Prevention

• Communication of this policy

• Further Information and Resources

Rationale

We adhere to the law in relation to drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and e-cigarettes at school. (Please note, at TC smoking includes being in the presence of smokers or vapers). TC, under the guidance of the College Council, has a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, and illicit drugs as described in the DPCSA (Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act). This policy relates to the possession, use or supply of these substances. In line with DET, this policy is applicable for when students are on school premises both during and outside of regular school times, when travelling to and from school, when at any TC events and/or camps.

By enrolling at TC, all parents/carers and students accept this zero-tolerance policy.

Purpose

• To address the society issue of smoking and vaping as it impacts on the College personnel and environment.

• To address the regulations applied to TC in regard to alcohol supply and consumption by students.

• To address the requirements of the law as applied to TC as an institution and workplace.

• To make available the policy and practices which will be followed to ensure that TC is a smoke-, vape-, illicit drug- and alcohol-free environment.

Policy

Smoking and vaping

TC is required by law to be a cigarette- and vape-free institution.  This applies to all staff, students and visitors to the College.   The use of smoking products is a health issue affecting all members of the College.  Please note that it is illegal for anyone to smoke or vape on school grounds and/or within 4m of the school property.

Students are not permitted to possess, supply or use tobacco and/or nicotine products or other smoking paraphernalia (including eCigarettes or vaping paraphernalia and lighters) anywhere in the College environment, at school events or whilst travelling to and from school. 

Students who are found in the company of smokers and/or vapers will be covered under the provisions of this policy as they are both seen to be condoning smoking and/or vaping at TC and are at risk of secondary smoke and vape effects.

Support for giving up smoking and/or vaping will underpin the implementation of this policy. If at any stage a student or parent/carer is seeking education around the health risks of smoking and/or vaping or information regarding ‘quit’ techniques, the Community Executive Team (CET) should be contacted. The expertise of the Specialist Wellbeing Services Team (SWS) can be used to further inform and counsel students of the harm caused by smoking and/or vaping.

All incidents will be recorded by CET on the student’s permanent record and will be treated cumulatively.

Alcohol 

Any student who brings or consumes alcohol at school, or at any school organised activity during school hours or outside of school hours will be covered under the provision of this policy as will any student found in their company.

Any other alcohol consumption is covered by the Australian Law and by the Department of Education, whose policy can be found on their website.

Alcohol use applies differently to students during school hours, students over 18 after hours and adults.  Students are not allowed to possess, supply or consume alcohol products anywhere in the college or at school events during or outside of school hours.

Support for giving up alcohol will underpin the implementation of this policy. If at any stage a student or parent/carer is seeking education around the risks of alcohol consumption, the Community Executive Team (CET) should be contacted. The expertise of the Specialist Wellbeing Services Team (SWS) can be used to further inform and counsel students of the possible harms of alcohol products.

All incidents will be recorded by CET on the student’s permanent record and will be treated cumulatively.

Recommended consequences for students who are identified as smoking, vaping or consuming/supplying alcohol, or found in their company:

First Offence     

• Reported to Community Executive Team and Principal class

• Student to be placed in isolation

• Community Executive Team/Principal class member to carry out confiscation of alcohol, smoking and/or vaping products and paraphernalia

• Confiscated items to be kept in school safe and collected by Parent/Guardian

• Student to be interviewed

• Parent/Guardian to be informed

• Five days external suspension as per the DET Suspension Process

• Smokers and vapers will be recommended to seek a recognised anti-smoking or anti-vaping program. Information available on online resources

• Return to school meeting held with CET

• Student record updated by CET

NB: International students will incur an internal suspension as the school is their legal guardian. CET will consult with the International Coordinator for all incidents involving international students. 

Next and subsequent offences

• Reported to Community Executive Team and Principal class

• Community Executive Team/Principal class member to carry out confiscation of alcohol, smoking and/or vaping products and paraphernalia

• Confiscated items to be kept in the school safe until collection by Parent/Guardian

• Parents/Guardians to be informed

• Meeting with the Principal to discuss future at the college

• Potential Pre-expulsion meeting and/or 5 day suspension to be determined 

• Smokers and vapers will be recommended to seek a recognised anti-smoking and/or anti-vaping program

NB: International students will incur an internal suspension as the school is their legal guardian. CET will consult with the International Coordinator for all incidents involving international students. 

Any student who brings illicit drugs onto school property or partakes in the use of illicit drugs at school, or at any school organised activity during school hours or outside of school hours will be covered under the provision of this policy as will any student found in their company.

Any other illicit drug consumption is covered by the Australian Law and by the Department of Education, whose policy can be found on their website.

Recommended sanctions for students who are identified as being in possession of, using, carrying out the action of, or being in the company of those consuming/supplying illicit drugs (including simulated products):

 First Offence

• Reported to Community Executive Team and Principal class

• Student to be placed in isolation immediately

• Health of student to be assessed. Emergency Services to be called if necessary.

• Community Executive Team/Principal class member to carry out confiscation of illicit drugs and/or paraphernalia

• Should a student refuse a bag search or a locker search the Police will be called

• Confiscated items to be kept in the School Safe until collection by Parent/Guardian

• Police to be informed

• Parents/Guardians to be informed

• At an appropriate time, interview to be held with student/s

• Meeting with a member of the Principal Class to discuss future at the college

• Potential Pre-expulsion meeting and/or 5 day suspension to be determined 

• Recommendation to seek a recognised support program.

NB: International students will incur an internal suspension as the school is their legal guardian. CET will consult with the International Coordinator for all incidents involving international students. 

Students will develop knowledge and harm minimisation skills in relation to drug use as part of the ongoing drug-related curriculum program, for example, as part of PE/Health curriculum and Wellbeing prevention programs.

TC will inform the community via Next Week @ TC of any parent drug education information sessions in the area.

Drug education resources will be available for students, parents/guardians and staff via the Community Executive Teams, the Specialist Wellbeing Services Team, and the First Aid.

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:

• Available publicly on our school’s website

• Included in staff induction processes and staff training

• Included in transition correspondence to new families

• Discussed at staff briefings/meetings as required

• Discussed at parent information nights/sessions

• Annually referenced in Next Week @TC

• Hard copy available from school administration upon request

The Department’s Policy and Advisory Library (PAL):

• Smoking and Vaping Ban

• Alcohol and Other Drugs — Students