Drug Education Network

Department of Education Report

2015 - 2018

The data provided inside this report represents a ‘snapshot’ of DEN’s school activities as of 31st December 2017. Some included activities are ongoing.

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Drug Education Network Inc Head Office 1/222 Elizabeth St Hobart TAS 7000 State wide local call: 1300 369 319 Tel: (03) 6211 2350 Northern Office 37 Brisbane St Launceston TAS 7250 Tel: (03) 6336 7950 Email: admin@den.org.au Website: www.den.org.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/drugeducationnetwork YouTube: www.youtube.com/drugeducationnetwork Twitter: www.twitter.com/den_tas ABN: 68878893423

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Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4

Aim ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Background ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4

About the Drug Education Network ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Our Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

Our Mission ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Position Statement .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Funding ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Board Members.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

Staffing .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6

DEN’s Focus and Roles ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Alignment to Government Strategies Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

School Support Summary July – December 2017 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

School Support Summary 2016-2017 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11

School Support Summary 2015-2016 .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Support Provided From DEN .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

Follow Up Support Provided ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

How Schools Access DEN’s Services ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18

Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19

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Purpose

To provide an overview of the Drug Education Network’s (DEN) activities in schools over the past three years, (2015-2017).

Aim

To describe the service and supports requested by schools and DEN’s service response and capacity to respond to the demand.

Background

Throughout 2013 – 2016 DEN attempted to address the equity of service provision across schools in Tasmanian by utilising a “ train the trainer model” . This had limited success in effecting sustainable drug education in schools.

During 2015 DEN in partnership with The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, (ACHPER) held three breakfast sessions state-wide to promote DEN’s teacher support services.

In 2016 DEN received increased requests for service; for one to one teacher support in class, planning, role modelling drug education lessons in classroom environments, providing information and resources across the school community. During 2016 – 2017 with sessions planned for 2018, training and support has been provided to the school nurses via state wide training organised by DoE. This work with the school nurses has extended the reach of alcohol and other drug education in schools and increased linkages and support for Health and Physical Education teachers.

DEN has strong relationships with schools and leveraging from the information shared with us via these personal relationships, with teachers, principals and school nurses DEN is able to gain an insight into the needs and barriers to schools achieving effective and sustainable curriculum-based approaches to alcohol and other drug education.

DEN is committed to the alcohol and other drug curriculum and a whole of school approach, parental inclusion, other relevant agencies and the local community.

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About the Drug Education Network

Our Vision

Improve the health and wellbeing of all community members through the provision of education / training and resources, aimed to reduce the impact of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Our Mission

To provide best practice education, training and resources for the Tasmanian community and beyond.

Position Statement

The Drug Education Network (DEN) neither condones nor condemns the use of drugs. Rather, we acknowledge that drug use exists irrespective of legal status or societal norms.

DEN provides our community members with the resources, information and connections they need to keep themselves and their community safer in relation to their individual circumstances.

Our goal is to meet people where they are and encourage open dialogue that empowers the individual to be the primary agent of their own physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

Funding

DEN is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services to improve the well-being of Tasmanian’s through prevention, resource development, education and training to service providers and the wider community on alcohol and other drugs. Through its Vision and Values, DEN delivers high quality services and programs in a challenging and rapidly changing environment. DEN has received fund on a continual basis for over 31 years.

DEN has recently been awarded funding from Primary Health Tasmania to deliver a state-wide training program to build the capacity of the drug and alcohol treatment sector to provide safe and appropriate care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Drug Education Network is collaborating closely with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre to deliver this training across Tasmania.

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Board Members

Position Current Holder Notes Chairperson (President) Wayne Moore

Vice Chairperson Sandra Lovell Vice Chairperson Michael Robinson

Secretary Judy Travers Treasurer Emma Quinn

Public Officer David Daniels Founding Member (1986) Ordinary Member Allison Matthews External Auditor Don Camm

Consultant Accountant Brian Claridge

Staffing

Position Holder Qualifications

CEO Shirleyann Varney BA (Hons) Economics, Diploma of Management,

TAE40110. Certificate in Neuro Leadership NLI.

Finance and Payroll Coordinator PPEI Secretariat Anita Menhofer

Masters in Applied Mathematics (UNSW Credit for Diploma in Meteorology (Munich University),

Competency in Plan for Community Engagement – Incidental Counselling (10093

NAT), Recognise and Respond Appropriately to Domestic and Family Violence (CHCDEFV301A),

17 Years’ Experience in Finance and Payroll (Director of Private Business, Employee in Not-

For-Profit Sector)

Educator (South) Maria Duggan Diploma of Applied Science in Naturopathy,

Masters in Public Health, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE 40110)

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Position Holder Qualifications

Educator (South) James Jenkins BSc (Hons) Business and Management, Masters

in Education, Certificate IV Alcohol and Other Drugs, Certificate IV Mental Health

Educator (North) Marion Hale Graduate Certificate Management and

Leadership, Diploma of Business, Diploma of Social Science

Educator (North) Maurice Dawe Bachelor of Social Work, Degree in Fine Art, Bachelor of Arts

Project, Systems and UX Developer Zoe Kizimchuk

Certificate IV Community Services, CHCAOD402B (Work Effectively in The Alcohol

and Other Drug Sector), Digital Vision Prize (2008) Computer Graphics and Design,

Brighton Council Prize (2008) for Health Studies

Administration Officer Mary-Jane Sieler Certificate IV Business Sales, Certificate IV

Small Business Management

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DEN’s Focus and Roles

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Alignment to Government Strategies Summary

DEN measures alignment to Government Strategies across 16 key activity types in 5 areas of Workforce Capacity Building, School Drug Education, Community Support, Individual/Family Community Support, and Communication. Below is the summary table of government strategies and the number of key areas DEN aligns to within each.

Government Strategy Number of Alignments across all Priorities

Department of Education Strategic Plan 2018 -2021 Align to Goal * Tasmanian Drug Strategy 2013-2018 54 Healthy Tasmania Five Year Strategic Plan July 2016 8 Final Report of the National Ice Taskforce 2015 1 (Objective) Good Sports Program 1 (Objective) ASSIST and Brief Intervention 1 Everybody’s Business ATOD Strategic Framework 31 National Drug Strategy 2016-2025 32 Suicide Prevention Workforce Development and Training Plan for Tasmania (2016-2020) 9 Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Strategy (2016-2020) 15 Taking Action: Tasmania’s Primary Prevention Strategy to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children 2012-22 23 Tasmanian Alcohol Action Framework: Rising Above the Influence 2010-2015 48 Tasmanian Tobacco Control Plan 2017-31 25 National Alcohol and other workforce development Strategy 2015-2018 11

*Department of Education Strategic Plan

Wellbeing – Learners are safe, feel supported and are able to flourish, so they can engage in learning. DEN’s practice, method and framework for drug education aligns to the Wellbeing goal in the 2018 – 2021 strategic plan. The principles for school drug education inform DEN’s evidenced based approach to drug education in schools. https://www.sdera.wa.edu.au/media/1324/princschooldruged_full-document.pdf

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School Support Summary Jul – Dec 2017

In the last six-month period, DEN provided support to 33 schools through information sessions, teacher PD, forums, resource provision and conferences. Engagement was sought from the schools via mail out on the Party Rules resource and in response to the state-wide Principal’s survey

School / Organisation Session Type School / Organisation Session Type Bowen Road Primary School Resources New Town High School Resources Campania High School Teacher PD Ogilvie High School Student Information Campbell Town District School Student Information Queechy High School Student Information Cosgrove High School Student Information Roseberry District School Teacher PD Cosgrove High School Resources Rosny College Resources Dunalley Primary Student Information Rosny College Student Information Guilford College School and Teacher Support Sorell High School School and Teacher Support Hobart College Student Information Taroona High School Resources Jordan River Learning Federation Resources Taroona High School Resources Kingston High School School and Teacher Support Taroona High School School and Teacher Support Kingston High School Teacher PD Taroona High School Student Information Launceston College School and Teacher Support Taroona High School School and Teacher Support Mackillop Catholic College School and Teacher Support Triabunna High School Resources Marist Regional College School and Teacher Support Triabunna High School Student Information Montrose Bay High School Student Information Triabunna High School Teacher PD New Town High School Teacher PD West Launceston Primary School Student Information

In addition to activities conducted with primary and secondary education institutions, DEN also provided information sessions, teacher PD, forums, resource provision and conferences across 17 sessions with UTAS, TasTAFE, Child and Family Centres, ACHPER and Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council.

Total sessions: 49

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School Support Summary 2016-2017

In the financial year 2016-2017, DEN provided support to 30 schools through information sessions, teacher PD, forums, resource provision and conferences. Engagement was sought from the schools via mail out on the QUIT Support Program, Party Rules resource and the School Roadshow Invite for DEN to attend a staff meeting at school anywhere in the state to share information and discuss concerns.

School / Organisation Session Type School / Organisation Session Type ACHPER Conference 2017 Conference Riverside High School School and Teacher Support Brooks High School Student Info Rose Bay High School Teacher PD Campania High School Teacher PD School Health Nurses PD Cosgrove High School Student Information Swansea Primary School School and Teacher Support Dunalley Primary School and Teacher Support Taroona High School Student Information Fahan School School and Teacher Support Tasman District High School Teacher PD H&PE Breakfast at Tiffany's School and Teacher Support TasTAFE Community Service Students Teacher PD Hilliard Christian School Teacher PD Triabunna District School Student Information Hobart College Student Info Triabunna District School Teacher PD Kingston High School School and Teacher Support Triabunna High School School and Teacher Support Kingston High School Teacher PD UTAS Student Education Student Information Latrobe High School School and Teacher Support UTAS Education Students Teacher PD Marist Regional College Forum UTAS Primary Education Training Teachers Teacher PD Mental Health BBQ School and Teacher Support UTAS South - Market Day Student Info Montrose Bay High School Student Information Wayraparattee CFC School and Teacher Support Mt Carmel Forum Wellbeing in Schools Association(WISA) Conference New Town High School School and Teacher Support Wiser and Older - University of the Third Age

(U3A) Student Information

Newstead College School and Teacher Support Riverside High School School and Teacher Support Ogilvie High School Teacher PD Rose Bay High School Teacher PD

Total sessions: 38

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School Support Summary 2015 – 2016

In financial year 2015-2016, DEN provided support to 16 schools through information sessions, Teacher PD, in addition forums and conferences were also undertaken.

School / Organisation Session Type School / Organisation Session Type ACHPER Conference 2016 Conference Orford High School Student and Teacher

Information Bicheno Local Schools Community Initiative Rose Bay High School Student and Teacher

Information Bridgewater Local Schools Community Initiative Rosny College Student Information Claremont College Student Information Rosny High School Student and Teacher

Information Claremont High School Student and Teacher

Information School Community Nurses Staff PD

Clarence High School Student and Teacher Information

St Virgil’s High School Student Information

Dover High School Student and Teacher Information

Taroona High School Student Information

Hobart College Student Information THEAC – Home Schooling Association Student and Teacher Information

Kingston High School Student Information UTAS Primary School and Early Learning Students Teacher PD Kingston High school Student Information Woodbridge High School Student and Teacher

Information Mount Carmel High School Student Information Youth Family and Community Connections

(YFCC) conference Conference

Total sessions: 22

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Support Provided by DEN

DEN provides support to schools and school communities via several different approaches;

Upon receiving a request for service, an Educator from DEN will contact the school and discuss their identified needs. DEN will then shape a response based on the principles of drug education, best practice and the latest evidence regarding effective messaging and effective drug education.

DEN has been able to respond to service request for extended support on two occasions. Dunalley Primary school initially requested a school talk on drugs. However, as the DEN educator discussed the issues prevalent in their local community and school community a more intense response was determined. This resulted in DEN delivering an agreed program of 3 lengthy sessions. (150 min) delivered across 3 weeks. This extended support from DEN was designed to role model to the teacher’s effective drug education through curriculum linked, whole of school approaches to enquiry-based learning.

DEN also provided this more intensive school and teacher support, delivering five 150min long sessions over a 5-week period to Orford Primary in partnership with PULSE Youth Health Centre. DEN presently has limited resources and is unable to offer more of these intensive and effective school and teacher support programs.

DEN recognises the importance of educating the teachers of tomorrow and in an ongoing partnership with UTAS, DEN delivers student teachers educational sessions across the state annually (since 2015).

DEN has also responded to PD requests from individual schools during 2016 – 2017 which included; Campania, Triabunna and Fahan. Delivery of state-wide teacher PD would be optimal, and DEN continues to seek those opportunities with DoE.

DEN has participated in the “Rev Up Your” Health forum for Grade 6 students in the Huon region by running drug education activities. This has included curriculum linked activity packs for teachers to take away from the forum as an opportunity for further discussion in the classroom. Hobart College has also engaged DEN to attend several school health sessions throughout 2017, feedback from these larger college sessions were difficult for the educator to facilitate.

In 2017 DEN co-facilitated with the school nurse a session with a student group at Montrose Bay High School to develop peer education regarding drug education and harm minimisation.

DEN presented at the ACHPER conference 2017 on the topic of sustainable drug education. The presentation focussed on exploring the HPE curriculum and linking that to effective alcohol and other drug education. An educational emphasis was placed on life skills development and successful integration of other curriculum areas such as mental health and respectful relationships.

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Support Provided by DEN

DEN recognises the importance of gaining parental support for effective drug education and in 2017 delivered parent information sessions in the Goodwood and Gagebrook Neighbourhood Houses. These sessions provided conversations and information for parents on how to talk to young people about the harms of drugs and how parents can support the drug and alcohol education in school. DEN also has an established relationship with the Wayraparattee, Child and Family Centre. We have provided a variety of educational sessions with their centre parents, topics have included; drug education, harm minimisation and safe partying and how to have conversations with young people.

DEN has worked with Mt Carmel on a number of occasions to assist in the delivery of their Staying Safe Forum. In this model, students present to their parents and peers on an AOD topic and DEN presents on harm minimisation.

DEN has consistently received requests on smoking tobacco and cannabis use on campus or during school hours and how can schools best respond. DEN focusses on a whole school health promoting approach combined with skill development through the HPE curriculum as a long-term sustainable approach to address these issues. Smoking of tobacco and cannabis use are consistently higher in the number of requests for service received.

DEN’s assistance to the schools dealing with drug use on the campus has been tailored and individual to the school. Smoking cessation sessions have been run in Huonville High School, Cosgrove High School and Clarence High School using CO monitors to inform and help educate students of the effects of smoking and passive smoking. DEN has taught school nurses how to use the monitors and interpret the readings, so the sessions can continue as required. One Pulse youth worker has also received training regarding the use and interpretation of the monitor readings and regularly loans the DEN CO monitor to hold educational sessions within schools.

Sharing the Kingston High School smoking quit support model is also part of DEN’s assistance package and feedback from the past year indicates that school nurses may be well placed to develop such support groups with the support from DEN.

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Support Provided by DEN

DEN

Principals / Heads of Department

Rosebay High School, Campania District

School, Huonville High School, MacKillop

Catholic College, The Friends’ School,

School NursesClarence High School, Ogilvie High School, Montrose Bay High

School and via state-wide training

ParentsMt Carmel College,

Wayraparattee Child and Family Centre, Port Dalrymple School

Other External agencies working

within schoolsPulse, ACHPER,

Tasmanian Association of State School

Organisations Inc, The Link, Holyoake, Salvation

army and YFCC.

DEN works with both teachers and students

We work with both teachers and students, and where ever possible with other key groups within the school and local community. Detailed below are some examples of these relationships.

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Follow Up Support Provided

DEN provides educational resources for schools and these resources are made available via Pinterest (since 2014). However collating meaningful data about who and how these resources are used is difficult on this platform, although the platform remains popular with teachers. When the account was hacked in 2017 teacher resources were spread across 2 online platforms and now sit on:

DEN’s Learning Blog - http://learning.den.org.au/

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Follow Up Support Provided

DEN’s Pinterest page - https://www.pinterest.com.au/drugedtas/

Work continues, to upload a variety of useful resources across these two platforms.

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How Schools Access DEN’s services

DEN collects general data regarding referral pathways and from this we can report that schools contact DEN directly and that the majority of the request for service are from established contacts within schools. New contacts are gained from DEN’s networking activities and partnership with the DoE; Conference presentations, e.g. The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation Conference 2017, (ACHPER); DEN and Department of Educations, (DoE) annual state-wide School Health Nurse program and via partnerships with external agencies including; PULSE Youth Health Centre, The Link and Holyoake.

We promoted DEN’s service in 2016 via an email mailout to all School Principals in light of the Student Health Initiative funding. DEN also held a road trip late 2017 across the west coast visiting school staff meetings to provide training for teachers.

In November 2016 and 2017 DEN emailed all schools regarding the availability of the Party Rules resource resulting in 1625 physical copies and 94 electronic copies being distributed.

In the first half of 2017 DEN in partnership with DoE requested principles to complete a short survey, part of this survey created an opportunity for them to request that DEN contact a key person in their school – 41 provided this information and DEN responded to all.

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Conclusion

DEN aspires to deliver a best practice sustainable approach to drug education. Based on evidence this requires the ability to support a school over an extended period, to build a relationship with all school staff in order to build confidence, skills and capacity to engage in drug education with ongoing, but not sole support from DEN.

Provision for ongoing classroom support regarding the use of these resources in alcohol and other drug educational sessions is presently very limited, due to current resources levels.

Due to limited funded capacity, DEN does not fully meet the requested level of intensive support service for schools.

DEN has been meeting regularly with the Department of Education to continue discussions around standardised state-wide AOD education within schools.

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Appendices

Drug Education Network

Department of Education Report

2015 - 2018

Prepared For:

Suzanne Pennicott-Jones

Director Curriculum Services

Department of Education

Prepared By:

Shirleyann Varney

Chief Executive Officer

Drug Education Network

Date: 2.2.18