If I could have a superpower, I might well choose the ability to sleep (and sleep well) at will. For many of us, the amount that we try and fit into the day, comes at the cost of a good sleep. As adults we are recommended to aim to sleep for 7 – 9 hours, but did you know that the recommended amount for 12 -14-year old’s is between 9 – 11 hours, whilst those aged 14 -17 it is 8 – 10 hours?
Getting the recommended amount of sleep can help teens maintain their physical health, emotional well-being, and school performance. Yet when I ask students how much sleep they have had, there are many that are not getting close to recommended levels. Whilst circumstances can often dictate that this isn’t always possible, improved sleep is something tangible that we should all be trying to aim for, for our kids.
Whilst Thomas Edison was said to have thought more than 5 hours of sleep was ‘inefficient unproductive and indulgent’, for the majority of us (and especially adolescents), not getting enough can mean concentration difficulties, drifting off in class, a lack of enthusiasm for anything and even more sick days.
Some students might already be able to self-manage lots of things, but it is going to be up to you to check out if a lack of sleep is an issue for your child. This doesn’t need to be overly dictatorial, because often through my own experiences with teenagers, involving them is the decision-making process means more chance of buy-in from them and therefore a better chance of success.
There are lots of things to consider as part of making sure your child gets enough quality sleep. These can include; getting enough exercise, better organisation of school work (not starting an assignment the night before it is due) developing good sleep hygiene and limiting screen time. According to a study by Vic Health and Sleep Health Foundation ‘teens who put down their smart-phones an hour before bed gained an extra 21 minutes sleep a night and an hour and 45 minutes over the school week. This can make a difference.
Our kids deserve to be the best versions of themselves and as parents, our role is to help them achieve that helping them develop routines to health and performance both now and later in life. The gift of good sleep should not be underrated.
You can find more information and some tips here: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/media-releases/aussie-teens-forgo-sleep-for-screens
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/teenagers-and-sleep
Mark Batten,
Dean of Makaria House
Year 8 Science
During Term 3, Year 8 Science students studied energy transformations. Students built model cars demonstrating solar, elastic potential and chemical potential energy powered cars. Some of Mr Hayward’s students tested the performance of their cars by racing them against other students’ models. Year 8 Science students used STEM skills to design and build their model cars. Tye McLeish built his elastic potential energy powered car and it fared well against the other models as it was light but fast.
Elizabeth Kirby (Head of Science)
Making Coasters
A part of the Mathematics Enrichment course involves project work based on a unit of Mathematics covered in Term 3. Students learnt about some of the mechanics and forces behind structures and buildings, as well as looking at the different types of curves involved in a rollercoaster track. This has led to their Term 3 and 4 project of making their own marble rollercoasters which will be structurally sound but also super creative! We look forward to their submission into FUSION to see the final product.
Mrs Bell (Formally Miss van der Heever)
