1st December 2023
HEADLINES
By James Saunders
THE DANGERS OF VAPING Recent figures suggest that the number of children who smoke is continuing to decline. However, there has been an increase in the number of children and young people who are currently using vapes and e-cigarettes. In the UK, the proportion of 11 to 17-year-olds that are currently vaping has increased from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022. Although this is a cause for concern, it’s worth noting that 92% of under 18s who have never smoked have also never vaped, and only 2% have vaped more frequently than once or twice. Most youth vaping is experimental and many young people who vape have already tried smoking. Vapes and vaping products which contain nicotine are age restricted and shouldn’t be sold to or bought by adults for under 18s. They are banned in school and learners in possession of them or caught using them will receive consequences. Vaping in schools is a national issue, and one that is difficult to crack. It is happening in schools across the country. It often takes place in toilets and is approached in the same way as smoking behind the bike sheds would have been when parents were at school. At Honywood, our approach to behaviour and access to toilets is designed to minimise the risks this issue poses. It is not something we ever tolerate. In addition, it has recently been brought to our attention that it is possible for children to get hold of vapes that are filled with liquid cannabis (THC) - a sticky thick yellowy brown liquid. It could be that they are getting vapes prefilled or are illegally accessing THC and filling it themselves. This sort of behaviour is often connected to county lines - a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas [within the UK], using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to
move [and store] the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons. Obviously this is a situation of grave concern as the risks to learners are much increased. Even more worrying is that we have been made aware that some Honywood learners have been able to access and use this substance. Keeping our community free of drugs is of the highest importance and I must stress that the use of or possession of any illegal substance in school is never tolerated and will result in a permanent exclusion. Our community is important and anyone that jeopardises the safety of our learners will not be welcome. Vaping THC will have similar effects to using cannabis and it provides a much stronger dose than smoking it because it is inhaled so quickly. It is likely to result in what would be classed as an overdose. Taken in such quantities in a short space of time can have unpredictable effects and could lead to a medical emergency. A common practice of vape use with young people is to share the vape. Again, this comes with increased risk when using THC as there is no way of knowing how someone else would react. In such an instance the person doing the sharing would be responsible for any adverse reaction. The short term effects listed below can be signs your child has vaped THC oil. •
Blood shot eyes Dazed/dreamy demeanour
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Short term memory loss Faint/feeling sick
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The giggles
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The munchies
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Dry mouth
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Paranoia
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Anxiety
The long term effects of cannabis use can include the increased risk of psychotic illness such as schizophrenia as well as other mental health issues. •
Schizophrenia = delusions and hallucinations.
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Delusions – believing things that are not true
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Hallucinations – seeing things that are not really there
Risk of schizophrenia is increased if cannabis is used from a young age, frequently used, where cannabis is stronger i.e. skunk, and there is an existing family history of schizophrenia. The Law: Will my child get into trouble for using THC Vapes? Cannabis is an illegal Class B drug. There are consequences for the illegal possession, supply and production of cannabis. •
Possession – having (possessing) cannabis in any form including edibles can get you up to 5 years in prison, unlimited fine or both.
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Supply - supplying cannabis which includes giving it to your friends for free or sharing it with them can get you up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
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Dealing - selling cannabis for any sized financial gain can get you up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
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Trafficking - moving it around the country on transport or through private vehicle etc. can get you up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
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Production - producing cannabis whether growing for self consumption or to be sold can get you up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.
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Young people who use cannabis are at increased risk of child criminal exploitation (CCE), and to be groomed into County Lines operations, see below for more information.
To read more about the legality of cannabis please see the government website Drugs penalties - GOV. UK (https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possessiondealing). To learn more about county lines and CCE, see The Childrens Society website What Is County Lines? | The Children’s Society (childrenssociety.org. uk).
I would like to point out that the statistics shared at the start of this letter are for wider context. This is an issue that does not affect the vast majority of young people. However, given the rise of this practice in Essex and the severity of the risks at hand I thought it prudent to keep you fully informed of the ever changing landscape that impacts young people and the risks that they face. I also want to reassure you of our stance and approach in tackling this issue to keep our children and community safe. Have a safe and warm weekend
James Saunders
THANK YOU Maddie Cooper-Holohan, Chelsea Bailey, JayConnor Gormley-Morriss, Kelly Chenery and Jacob Stroud for all the extra work they have done in the kitchen this week. Mrs Frid - Catering Manager
Last week our U14 girls football team played against Hedingham at Honywood. Team: Evie Vaughan, Bonnie Bunch, Jesse Arkell, Julietta Swain, Lily Kerry, Estelle Scherer (Captain), Remi Scott, Lily-Mae Gilden, Ava Schwingen, Isabel Harvey, Layla Woods, Roxana Rowshangohar, Emily hall In a very competitive game, Hedingham took the lead after a number of Honywood attempts were saved by the excellent Hedingham keeper. Honywood equalised through Bonnie Bunch who reacted to a defensive mistake by the visitors and shot low into the corner of the goal. In the second half, after continuous pressure, Estelle Scherer scored two well taken goals. The midfield of Estelle Scherer, Isobel Harvey and Julietta Swain took control of the game and the defence of Evie Vaughan, Remi Scott, Layla Woods and Lily Mae Gilden prevented any more goals by the opposition and were only troubled once when the Honywood keeper Emily Hall made an excellent save. Final Score 3-1 to Honywood. On Friday 24th November Lexi in C7 took part in the British Shooting Schools Rifle and Pistol Championships at Ipswich High School. This is Lexi’s first competition, having only shot as part of a triathlon previously. Using an air pistol, the competition involves shooting 4 rounds of 5 shots in 20 minutes, at a range of 10 metres, with the top 8 athletes proceeding to the final. After a nerve-wracking start, Lexi was ranked 5th going into the final round, and narrowly missed selection for the national finals by 3 points! Ranking 10/45 overall. She was very proud to be representing one of the only state schools there! Well done Lexi!
Essex Music School Braintree Community Music Centre Saturdays 9am – 12.30pm Come and join us in making and learning music together in Braintree! We offer 10 weeks per term across the school year including groups and ensembles such as our All-in-Band and our Braintree Young Singers Choir! We also offer 1-to-1 lessons in Drums, Guitars, Piano and Voice.
Braintree Community Music Centre iConstruct, Braintree Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Drive, Braintree CM7 2DP Scan for further details and to register your interest Website: www.essexmusichub.org.uk Phone: 0333 013 8953
THURSDAY 7 DECEMBER
Dates for the Diary 27 Nov - 15 Dec
C11 GCSE Mock Exams
Mon 4 Dec
Christmas concert - 6.30pm
Thurs 7 Dec
Christmas Jumper Day
Fri 8 Dec
Non Learner Day
Fri 22 Dec
End of term - early finish 12.55pm
Mon 8 Jan 2024
Non Learner Day
Tues 9 Jan 2024
All learners return to school
After the Christmas break, we will be collecting in used Sweet Tubs as part of the Tub2Pub initiative by Greene King. All tubs will then be recycled and the funds raised will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support. Please drop your tubs off in SC8 with Mrs Frogley up to and including the 22nd January. Please ensure they are clean (although if you accidently leave any sweets in there that maybe ok...! ) Thank you for your support.