On Friday 28 July our Year 9 -11 students attended presentations by the Life Education Trust designed to encourage them to make smart choices around alcohol, money, vaping, and social media.

The Life Education Trust targets specific year groups, equipping rangatahi with the skills to make safe and smart life decisions;

• SMASHED

Year 9 students attended the SMASHED Presentation. This theatre-based interactive workshop is designed to equip young people with the information, awareness, and confidence to make responsible choices around alcohol. SMASHED enables young people to explore the causes and consequences of underage drinking in a safe and motivating environment. See the parent guide attached below for more information.

• SMART$

Year 10 students attended SMART$. This performance is designed to provoke thinking and conversation around everyday financial decisions and opportunities impacting young people. It tells the story of three young people as they navigate various everyday financial decisions. It demonstrates the potential impacts of decisions including savings, deferred payment schemes, credit card use, and Kiwisaver.

• Behind the Scenes

Year 11 students participated in "Behind the Scenes"; an exploration of the health risks of vaping and the influence of social media.

"Vaping rates in rangatahi have increased dramatically since vape products were introduced to New Zealand as a smoking cessation device. In 2021, research* showed 27% of young people had vaped in the last 7 days. School leaders have described vaping as an ‘epidemic’ amongst students and asked for help to manage it."

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation’s website Don't Get Sucked In has comprehensive information about vaping for teens and parents/caregivers. Doing the 'Don’t Get Sucked In' quiz together is a great way to start a conversation about vaping and peer pressure.