Deputy Principal
Year 9 and 12
Year 12
As we move further into the last stretch of the HSC year, our Year 12 students are navigating one of the most pivotal times in their schooling. While it is vital to focus on academic achievement, it is also important to keep a healthy balance between study, wellbeing and life outside of school.
It’s crucial to remember the foundations of wellbeing that will help you perform at your best. Prioritising good sleep, nutritious meals, and regular physical activity will support concentration and maintain overall health.
Getting enough rest every night is essential for memory, focus, and mood. Aim for 7–9 hours of sleep, and try to stick to a regular bedtime routine. This can make a big difference to energy and capacity for learning.
Eating balanced meals fuels your brain and body. Choose whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Staying hydrated is just as important—keep a water bottle nearby as you study.
Regular physical activity, even a short walk or stretching, helps reduce stress and boosts mental clarity. Try to take breaks throughout your study sessions to move your body.
In practical terms, planning your week to include both study time and downtime is essential. Short, regular breaks can improve concentration and productivity. Staying connected with family, friends and favourite activities helps to relieve stress. Academic success matters, but finding balance can lead to lifelong resilience, wellbeing and achievement.
Year 9
Year 9 students play an essential role as leaders of our middle school. As leaders, students are presented with a powerful opportunity to demonstrate respect and responsibility, two key values that help create a positive and supportive environment for Epping Boys.
Respect is the foundation of strong, healthy relationships. We encourage Year 9 students to show respect by listening to others, valuing different perspectives, and treating peers, teachers and staff with kindness. When respect is demonstrated consistently, it helps build trust and cooperation across the school. However, respect is not just demonstrated within school grounds, as an Epping boy respect means standing up on public transport so that a member of the public can sit in a seat, or speaking politely to a cashier at the supermarket.
Responsibility is about taking ownership of one’s actions and contributing positively to the school community. Whether it’s completing classwork on time, participating respectfully in group activities, or being a role model for younger students, Year 9 leaders set the tone for others to follow. Embracing responsibility helps develop leadership skills that are valuable both in school and beyond.
Together, as a community, we can celebrate the growth and leadership of Year 9 students as they take pride in their role within the middle school. We look forward to seeing how they continue to inspire and lead with integrity throughout the year.
Nicholas Kennedy
Deputy Principal Year 9 and 12
