From the Assistant Principal: Wellbeing

By Kerryn Boyko

Teens and Sleep

'Sleep is not a luxury for young people. It is a biological necessity. Without adequate sleep, learning, emotional regulation, mental health and healthy development are all significantly compromised.' Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Research shows that teenagers need 9–10 hours of sleep each night to support healthy brain development, learning, emotional wellbeing and physical health. Unfortunately, many young people are not getting the sleep they need. In fact, our own students have self-identified a dissatisfaction with both the amount and quality of their sleep. Advice from Dr Michael Carr-Gregg suggests that simple strategies such as limiting screen time before bed, establishing a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine, and making sleep a priority can significantly improve mood, concentration, resilience and academic performance.

There are many excellent resources available for parents and carers on the Loreto College SchoolTV Sleep webpage, including expert advice, videos and practical strategies to support healthy sleep habits in teenagers: https://loreto.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sleep 

Stepfamilies Workshop

The Family Relationship Centre and CatholicCare Victoria are running free workshops to support stepfamilies. 

“Stepfamilies – through your children’s eyes” is 3-hour workshop focusing on the experience of living in a stepfamily through the children’s eyes. It aims to assist parents in developing a greater understanding of what their children need and how they can best support them. It is designed for couples or individuals at any stage of their stepfamily journey. 

Online via Zoom

Date:  Thursday – 15 August or 27 August: 5 – 8pm