LEEMING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Don't forget, if your child has participated in event or competition outside of school you can tell us about it here and we will feature it in our upcoming newsletter.

Year 7 Immunisations

Vaccination in Year 7 plays a vital role in protecting young people’s health now and into the future. The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine helps protect against several cancers later in life, including cervical, head and neck, and other cancers caused by HPV infection. The DTPa vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis/whooping cough) provides a booster to maintain immunity against serious and highly contagious diseases that can cause significant illness.

Delivering these vaccines through the school-based immunisation program ensures high coverage, easy access for students, and timely protection at an age when the vaccines are most effective. With the school immunisation team visiting Leeming at the start of Term 3, this is an important opportunity for Year 7 students to stay up to date with their vaccinations and contribute to the health and safety of the wider community.

It is important to register ‘Consent’ or ‘No consent’ at your earliest convenience.

Mrs D. Kitak & Mr T. Owen-Davies, School Nurses

Future Doctors Australia: A Hands‑On Pathway Into Medicine

Students aged 14–18 with a passion for pursuing a career in medicine now have the chance to take part in the Future Doctors Australia program. It's an immersive, four‑day experience designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of medical professionals.

Participants will learn directly from medical specialists, take part in practical, hands‑on activities, and gain valuable insight into the medical admissions process. It’s an ideal opportunity for motivated students to explore the realities of medical study and receive mentorship from those already working in the field.

This program offers a meaningful head start for any young person considering a future in healthcare, helping them build confidence, skills and clarity about their pathway ahead.

A fantastic opportunity not to be missed. Find out more here.

Mr V. Bryan, Pathways & Transition Manager

A huge thank‑you to Andy Quilty for inspiring our emerging artists and helping them see their creative potential in new and exciting ways.

Ms A. Archibald, Visual Arts Teacher

A Wonderful Evening at the Senior Recital

On Monday, 11 May, we hosted one of our most successful Senior Recitals to date. The standard of performances was exceptional, with students showcasing impressive musical skill, confident presentation and a genuine passion for their craft. The audience response was overwhelmingly positive, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere.

The recital provided an excellent opportunity for students to present their assessed work in a professional setting while strengthening connections with our parent community.

A heartfelt thank‑you goes to Mrs. Damos, Mr Williams, Mr Angus, Mr Kostourkov, Mr Martin, Ms Thomson and Mrs Geiles for their support and organisation. It was also wonderful to see additional staff members in attendance, cheering on our talented students.

A fantastic evening of music and community spirit.

Mr G. Ryder, Teacher of Music

What’s happening in the Library?

Mindful May is once again happening in the school with displays, jigsaws and colouring activities in the Library to promote mindfulness.

Chess Club runs Monday and Wednesday at recess – All students are welcome to come and join in. There will be a House tournament later this term during recess

May the Force be with you! The Library has come alive in May with lots of different Star Wars displays to view and reading adventures to be borrowed. Different Star Wars movies are also on at lunchtime in the Library. Over the Star Wars week, many students also worked together to create an amazing Lego Yoda and an Imperial Light Cruiser.

BYOD at Leeming Senior High School Just a reminder to students to bring their devices to school every day fully charged. If personal devices aren’t working, please bring it to the Library at lunchtime and we will do our best to assist. The Library also has a supply of chargers and charging stations to keep devices charged throughout the day.

Reference Lists, Scribbr and Plagiarism Through Digital Literacy, all Year 7s learn the importance of providing a Reference List with all of their research. Students have the advantage of using online Bibliography Generators (Search - Scribbr APA) where they can add their book title/authors and websites and the site will then build their Reference List for them. We are practising this process regularly so that it becomes second nature to the students as it is a skill that will be used throughout their education. Reference lists are used by all year groups, so any students who would like to learn more or have with questions on how to use Scribbr, please come and see me. This is also covered in the Study Smarter Session on a Monday afternoon.

Academic Integrity - Plagiarism Copy and pasting isn’t acceptable and students are required to write assignments in their own words to show their understanding of the topic. In Digital Literacy, this is linked to learning how to write assignments in their own words and writing references to give credit to sources used.

Have a wonderful term and don’t forget that as well as hard copies of books, we also have ebooks on ePlatform that can be borrowed.

Ms C. Steel, Teacher Librarian

World No Tobacco Day 31 May 2026: Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction

Vaping has significant adverse effects on health and the evidence is growing!

Vaping

Vaping, where you breathe a mist into the lungs, has quickly become very popular. This mist often contains nicotine, flavours, and other chemicals.

Vapes come in various shapes and sizes, making them hard to identify. They may look like pens, highlighters, or USB memory sticks.

Vaping is not safe. It can cause: 

• mouth, throat and lung irritation.
• burn injuries from overheated or shattering vapes.
• breathing problems and lung damage.
• addiction to nicotine.
• learning, memory, and attention problems.
• increased risk of mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
• an increased risk of taking up tobacco smoking.

If your child or adolescent is vaping, talk to them and help them understand the risks. Encourage them to quit.

Quitting vaping can be difficult, and if you think your child or adolescent needs help, see your doctor. Your child can call 13 78 48, WA Quitline for help. More information on Vaping can be found at: Why vaping is bad for teens & how to help.

Smoking

Cigarettes contain around 600 ingredients, and when burned, they release over 7,000 chemicals. At least 69 of these are known to cause cancer, while many others are toxic and harmful to nearly every part of the body.

It can lead to:

• bad breath, stained teeth and fingers.
• an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and lung disease.
• a shortened lifespan.

Breathing in smoke from someone else’s cigarette (known as second-hand smoking) can be harmful. It may affect your child’s health, leading to lung infections, ear infections and wheezing.

Quitting smoking helps your child or teenager feel better and lowers the chances of long-term illness. It can also save a lot of money!

Need support?

If your child or teenager needs help to quit smoking:

• see your doctor, School Health Nurse, pharmacist, or Aboriginal Medical Service
• call 13 78 48, Quitline or Aboriginal Quitline

You can also:

• fill out the “Request a callback” form online
• text ‘call back’ to 0482 090 634
• chat online
• call 1800 55 1800 Kids Helpline
• visit Headspace for support and information (for 12 – 25 years).

Flu Season

Winter is just around the corner, so this is a friendly reminder to help keep our school community healthy as the colder weather sets in.

With the recent change in temperatures, we’ve seen an increase in flu‑like illnesses across the community, as well as a rise in students and staff presenting with respiratory symptoms. Staying informed and taking simple preventative steps can make a big difference as we head into the winter months.

Cold weather can be particularly challenging for older adults and for people with pre‑existing or chronic health conditions. Those with heart conditions, autoimmune disorders, or respiratory issues are especially vulnerable during winter.

Many common winter illnesses including RSV, Influenza, COVID‑19 and Whooping Cough, spread through the air. Viruses can be transmitted when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, making it easier for these illnesses to circulate in the community.

For individuals with underlying health conditions, wearing a face mask can help reduce the risk of catching respiratory viruses during peak illness periods.

So, this winter please remember:

Get Vaccinated

If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, your GP can check this for you. Many community services now offer free vaccines or bulk‑billing appointments. You can also find a vaccine provider through the National Health Services Directory - Service Finder Widget

Wash Your Hands

Clean hands are one of the most effective ways to stop germs from spreading. Wash regularly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol‑based hand sanitiser and try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Cover Coughs and Sneezes

Using disposable tissues, rather than your hands or a handkerchief helps reduce the spread of viruses. Make sure you also:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use your inner elbow.
• Dispose of tissues in a closed bin immediately.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser afterwards.

Stay Home When Unwell

Viruses can be serious for young children, older adults, pregnant women, Aboriginal people, and those with chronic medical conditions. A very simple way to reduce the spread of germs is to stand or sit away from people when you or they are coughing or sneezing (at least 1 metre or about an arm's length). And remember, if you are sick, stay home.

Keep Surfaces Clean

Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces at home and work to help remove germs.

• Warm water and detergent are effective but antibacterial cleaners aren’t necessary and can contribute to resistance.
• Don’t forget items like phones, door handles, toys, books and keyboards.

Where to Get Help

• Find a GP/doctor
• Search a GP urgent care practice (external site)
• Visit healthdirect (external site) or call 1800 022 222

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact the School Health nurse or have a look at the links below:

• Staying healthy in winter
• Flu (influenza) – influenza A and B, symptoms, vaccine | healthdirect
• COVID-19 (coronavirus)
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Whooping cough (pertussis)

Mrs D. Kitak & Mr T. Owen-Davies, School Nurses

Happiness is a broad and meaningful concept, encompassing emotions such as joy, optimism, pride, serenity, humour, inspiration, love and hope. It looks different for everyone, yet it plays a vital role in developing strong emotional literacy and supporting overall wellbeing.

For centuries, philosophers, poets and spiritual thinkers have reflected on what it means to live a happy life. In more recent decades, researchers in the field of positive psychology have taken this exploration further, studying the science behind wellbeing and what truly helps people flourish.

One of the strongest findings to emerge from this research is the powerful link between gratitude and increased happiness. Practising gratitude encourages us to notice the positive moments (big or small) that shape our daily lives. Over time, this intentional focus helps to re‑wire the brain, strengthening neural pathways that support a more positive outlook and improved mental wellbeing.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents and caregivers can explore practical ways to cultivate happiness and learn how simple gratitude practices can make a meaningful difference for young people and families alike.

Access the full edition here.

Bullying can deeply affect a young person’s wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging. It doesn’t always appear in obvious ways. Beyond physical actions, it can include social exclusion, verbal harassment and online bullying, often occurring repeatedly and quietly over time. Research shows that these experiences can contribute to anxiety, low self‑esteem, social withdrawal and challenges with learning and forming healthy peer relationships.

For parents and carers, knowing how to respond can feel overwhelming. Yet small, consistent actions like recognising early signs, listening without judgement and keeping communication open, can make a meaningful difference in helping a child feel supported and safe.

Do It For Dolly Day serves as a powerful national reminder that kindness matters. It encourages all of us to play a role in building communities where young people feel valued, included and protected.

This Special Report offers families practical guidance to better understand bullying, support their child through difficult experiences and foster empathy, respect and positive relationships, ensuring no young person feels alone.

Access the full report here.

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional custodians of this land on which Leeming Senior High School stands, the Whadjak/Noongar people.

It is a privilege to be standing on Noongar country. We acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal Australians to the education of all children and people in this country we all live in and share together – Australia.

Disclaimer

Leeming Senior High School does not endorse any of the products or services on our community board.