Water Safety Advice for Parents of Secondary School Children

As the weather gets warmer, young people spend more time around water – at home, on outings and on holiday. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in young people in the UK, with increased risk during hot weather, particularly above 25°C. Most incidents are preventable.

Key messages for parents:

• Supervision still matters: Teenagers need clear expectations and reminders about staying safe around water.
• Open water is higher risk: Rivers, lakes and the sea can be dangerous due to currents, cold water shock, and hidden hazards. Encourage safe, supervised locations.
• Teach essential safety skills: Make sure your child knows the Water Safety Code and how to “Float to Live”.
• Keep talking: Regular conversations about risk-taking, peer pressure and sensible decision-making can save lives.
• Be prepared: Ensure your child knows what to do in an emergency, including how to call for help.

 👉 Access the full Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership Water Safety Toolkit here: Water Safety - Hampshire SCP

Small actions—like choosing safer places to swim and keeping safety on the agenda—can make a real difference.

Dear Parents and Carers,

We would like to draw your attention to a new website, Omoggle (not to be confused with Omegle), which has recently been identified as a potential safeguarding concern. Omoggle is an anonymous video chat platform where users are paired with strangers and rated on their appearance using AI. Its unmoderated nature means young people may be exposed to judgement, bullying, and content that can negatively impact self-esteem and body image. Click here for more information  Omoggle and the PSL Scale - a guide for parents.

Alongside this, we encourage you to visit the Government’s Kids Online Safety website, which provides clear and practical advice to help support your child online. The site includes guidance on popular apps, privacy settings, and how to have effective conversations about online safety: https://kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk

If your child uses social media or online chat platforms, we recommend talking with them about safe and respectful use, and reminding them to avoid engaging with anonymous or unmoderated sites.

Kind regards,

Hayley Yates
Assistant Headteacher & Designated Safeguarding Lead

Dear Parent/Carers

Vapes – Important Information for Parents

We have received an update from the Public Health team regarding so‑called THC vapes. There have been several recent incidents involving young people aged 13–16 in the Havant and Eastleigh areas who have experienced adverse reactions after using these products. Reported effects include nausea, vomiting and, in some cases, loss of consciousness.

Police testing of vapes seized locally has found that some contained synthetic cannabinoids (such as Spice). These substances are very different from cannabis and can cause severe, unpredictable and sometimes life‑threatening reactions. Even a very small amount can be extremely dangerous, particularly for young people with no prior tolerance.

It is important to be aware that vapes labelled as “THC” in the UK are frequently found to contain synthetic cannabinoids instead. Young people may be unaware of what they are actually inhaling.

For further information and guidance for parents, please click on the link Vaping.

Hayley Yates

Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead