St Hilda’s school in Southport hit by vaping scandal

A supporter of the elite Gold Coast all-girls school involved in a vaping scandal has come out in defence of the Year 12 student cohort, saying the majority “are outstanding young women”.

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A SUPPORTER of the elite Gold Coast all-girls school involved in a vaping scandal has come out in defence of the Year 12 student cohort, saying the majority “are outstanding young women”.

A school leader was suspended for the selling of vape canisters to younger students. A school statement confirmed the student involved had been “held accountable” and it was “aware of an increase in vaping in society”.

It’s believed students were given 24-hours’ notice of an impending locker inspection at an assembly, and were told there’d be “severe consequences” if anything was found.

“The vast majority of the girls in the senior year at St Hilda’s are outstanding young women and working extremely hard towards their ATAR exams,” said the person, who did not want to be named.

“On a daily basis these girls work hard to represent their school, often taking part in charitable endeavours in their own time.”

The school told the Bulletin it had “no further comment”.

It was alleged the suspended girl had been using vapes on school grounds and selling them to other girls for “some time”.

The school statement added: “The serious consequences for breaking school rules are supported by parents who understand that the welfare of students is our priority.”

St Hilda's School in Southport.

GOLD COAST SCHOOLS LOCK TOILETS TO CLAMP DOWN ON VAPING

The suspension comes as private schools such Aquinas College and state high schools across the Gold Coast lock bathrooms or restrict student access to them during class time to clamp down on vaping in toilet blocks.

In a previous statement, St Hilda’s School said: “Like many other schools and parents, we are aware of an increase in vaping in society. For under 18s, vaping is against the law, as is the sale of vapes to a person under the age of 18.

“Any allegation brought to our attention within the school is investigated and carried out with respect to the School Code of Conduct and procedural fairness, and students are held accountable for their actions.”

Lung Foundation Australia chief executive Mark Brooke said increasing numbers of young Australians were vaping flavoured e-cigarettes, unaware that most chemicals used in them had not been tested for safety when heated and inhaled.

“Vape liquids are highly variable and largely unregulated. It is not safe to assume that because a chemical flavouring is used in food or soap, it is safe to inhale,” he said.

He said a recent study by the Curtin University and Telethon Kids Institute tested 52 e-liquids and found that none had a complete, accurate ingredient list and 21 per cent had nicotine despite it being illegal to sell e-liquids containing nicotine in Australia. It also found more than 60 per cent contained chemicals likely to be toxic if vaped repeatedly.

Youth advocate and Consumers Health Forum young leader Jahin Tanvir said vaping had the capacity to become a significant health risk for “impressionable teenagers who are dealing with growth issues such as finding their identity and mental health”.

“It needs to be addressed by our country’s decision-makers; the time to act is now before it is too late.”

PREVIOUSLY: VAPING SCANDAL HITS SCHOOL

A VAPING scandal has rocked the Gold Coast’s most elite private girls school, with a senior leader from St Hilda’s suspended for the selling of vape canisters to younger students.

A school statement confirmed the student involved had been “held accountable” for their actions.

“The safety and wellbeing of students is our first priority at St Hilda’s School,” it added.

“Like many other schools and parents, we are aware of an increase in ‘vaping’ in society. “With the short and long-term effects of ‘vaping’ still largely unknown, the potential risk to health is of great concern.

“For under 18s, ‘vaping’ is against the law, as is the sale of vapes to a person under the age of 18.

“Any allegation brought to our attention within the school is investigated and carried out with respect to the School Code of Conduct and procedural fairness, and students are held accountable for their actions.”

Gold Coast Private Hospital’s Dr Anu Siriwardana says e-cigarettes luring youths, liquids may be toxic and cause long term damage

St Hilda's School in Southport.

It was alleged the girl had been using vapes on school grounds and selling them to other girls for “some time”, according to a parent’s claim to the Bulletin.

The school statement added: “The serious consequences for breaking school rules are supported by parents who understand that the welfare of students is our priority.”

The shock suspension comes as private schools such Aquinas College, and state high schools across the Gold Coast, lock bathrooms or restrict student access to them during class time to clamp down on vaping in toilet blocks.

Flavoured e-liquids and associated devices are widely available as consumer products in Australia to anyone aged 18 and over. The come in bright colours and shapes such as highlighters and USB sticks, and with a variety of fruity flavours. They are increasingly attractive to youths who think breathing in flavoured air and the dangers of smoking are eliminated because tobacco is not involved.

But according to Gold Coast Private Hospital respiratory physician Dr Anu Siriwardana experts aren’t exactly sure what harmful liquids were being sold because there was no requirement for ingredients to be listed on packaging.

“There could be damaging effects on the brain and lungs from inhaling certain liquids, it could also be cancer causing,” he said.

He urged parents to have “frank and honest” two-way conversations with their children to discuss the dangers of vaping and discourage it.

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