Last Friday, Boorowa Central School took a proactive step in tackling one of today’s most pressing youth health issues vaping. The school hosted a special presentation by Reality Now, aimed at educating secondary students on the risks and misconceptions surrounding vapes.
The event was made possible through support from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, whose funding ensured students had access to this vital learning opportunity. Organised by teacher Ms Jess Bromfield, the Vaping Awareness Presentation Reality Now session was tailored for students in Years 7 through 12.
The day was split into two sessions one for Years 7 to 9 and another for Years 10 to 12, allowing for age-appropriate discussions that were both informative and thought-provoking.
Presenter Chris delivered an engaging and interactive presentation that went beyond statistics. Students were prompted to think critically about the choices they make regarding their health and their bodies. One memorable point he made was by asking “Would You Rather?” a powerful tool to get students thinking. One question asked, “Would you rather lick a seat on a bus or a sponge used to clean dishes?”
The point wasn’t just for laughs it cleverly highlighted how questionable some of the substances in vape products really are.
Principal Graham Jones praised the presentation’s ability to strike a balance between hard-hitting facts and relatable, student-friendly delivery.
“It was a really good balance between education around the dangers of vaping, but also about the choices people can make about what they put in their body,” Mr Jones said.
“I think the kids that went really enjoyed the time and got a lot out of it.” An important segment of the session involved examining student perceptions around vaping. Prior to the presentation, students were surveyed on how frequently they vaped, as well as how often they believed their peers did. This data was then compared with statewide figures from over 30,000 responses, revealing the perception that “everyone is vaping” is vastly overstated. This helped students understand that the social pressure they might feel is often based on incorrect assumptions.
Ms Bromfield praised the students for their mature engagement and thoughtful questions throughout the event.
“They were respectful, curious, and really took the opportunity to learn something that could impact their future decisions,” she said. With misinformation around vaping spreading quickly among young people, Boorowa Central School’s initiative stands as a shining example of how education can empower students to make safer, more informed choices.
-Liam Stuart
The South West Slopes Times covers an area approximately the size of Fiji in country NSW. We look after a population of more than 50,000 people with our staff servicing 7 major towns and dozens of villages with our story telling footprint.
We offer weekly print editions at $3 a copy and we also offer digital subscriptions across 3 months $30, 6 months $60 and 12 months $120.
We are one of the last truly local independent family run newspaper businesses in the state.
Contact us today to find out how we can promote your business or organisation across our huge network by emailing ads@thetimes.net.au or by calling 0413 763 216.
If you have a news tip, lead or scoop for us please make contact as we love celebrating our communities. You can contribute articles via our South West Slopes Times website.