Young critics fire up

TASMANIAN students are again being invited to have their say on the effectiveness of anti-smoking television advertisements from around the world.

Cancer Council Tasmania’s long-running school-based Critics’ Choice anti-smoking campaign is on again, with participating students and schools entering a draw to win prizes.

Available completely online, the Critics’ Choice is a free resource for school-based educators.

Bronwyn Carroll, school business manager, Evandale Primary School.

School Awards — Principal of the Year (Early Years and Primary): Meredith Cashion, Nixon Street Primary; Principal of the Year (Secondary): Gill Berriman, Bayview Secondary College; Teacher of the Year (Early Years and Primary): Jo-anne Coates, East Devonport Primary School and

The youth tobacco prevention program originated in Canada and has been adapted for use in Australia by the Australian Network on Young People and Tobacco, which aims to reduce the prevalence of tobacco smoking among young people.

Cancer Council Tasmania chief executive Penny Egan said figures from 2014 showed that 16 per cent of 12-17 year olds had smoked at least one cigarette in the past year.

“Nearly 80 per cent of cur- Child and Family Centre; Teacher of the Year (Secondary): Susan Oakden, Elizabeth College; Outstanding Young Teacher: Georgia Salter, Goodwood Primary.

Staff Supporting Learning Awards — School Business Manager of the Year: Bronwyn Carroll, Evandale Primary; Support Employee of the Year: Kelly Quon, Ravenswood Heights Primary; Professional Support Specialist of the Year: Susan Diprose, senior rent smokers start smoking prior to the age of 18 and two in three long-term smokers will die prematurely from smoking related diseases,” Mrs Egan said.

“These figures highlight the importance of youth specific tobacco education in an effort to prevent smoking initiation and encouraging the early cessation of smoking among young people.

“The Critics’ Choice is a free, innovative anti-tobacco resource whereby students social worker, Learning Services Northern Region.

Service Awards — Departmental Employee of the Year: Lynne McDougall, disability programs director; LINC Employee of the Year: Ellen Lamb, information services co-ordinator Burnie LINC; Young Employee of the Year: Stephen Dodd, network support officer, Learning Services Northern Region; Outstanding Team of the Year: Nik Wardlaw and watch and critique anti-smoking television advertisements from around the world.

“Students then nominate which one would be most likely to prevent them from taking up smoking in the first place or encourage people to stop smoking.”

Teachers can further engage and educate students on the topic by including activities from the teacher resource, which aligns with the Australian Curriculum (Health and Physical Education). Eliza Spykers, Bicheno-St Marys Music Teachers Co-operative; Outstanding Use of Innovation or Technology: Launceston College STEAM Team, Kent Poulton, Keith Wenn, Amanda Smith, Mark Gleeson, Evan Starky.

Community Awards — Volunteer of the Year: Gary French, Bayview Secondary College; Mark Jones, Huon Valley Trade Training Centre; Matthew Marshall, Parklands High School.

Mrs Egan said the program was aimed at upper primary and secondary level with flexible activities that teachers can easily adapt to suit their students’ interests.

All student voting forms returned will go into the draw to win a $100 gift voucher with participating schools going into the draw to win a $500 voucher.

The Critics’ Choice is available now with the competition component closing on October 31. www.quittas.org.au.