Wellbeing - Middle School

Time to Switch On!

I welcome back our Middle School students to Term 2. It is important that all students start off on the right foot with regard to appropriate personal grooming, uniform, behaviour and most important a positive learning and engaged mindset. The Year Coordinators will be active in ensuring students are firmly in the right head space for learning, and as such, contact home will be made where standards do not meet College level.

I also can understand and appreciate that transitioning back to school after the school holiday period can usually bring a range of emotions, from excitement, anticipation, butterflies, and general anxiety. These are all common feelings that your son may experience. The main concerns usually centre around coping with the stress of returning to school, adjusting back to study patterns, and balancing a breadth of commitments. Unfortunately, at times, not thinking about returning to school until it’s that same morning can make the transition more difficult.

Here are a few simple tips that you can assist your son with as he transitions back to school over the following few days/week:

Sleep Routine - Ensuring 8 to 10 hours sleep for those aged 14 -17 years and 9 to 11 hours for those aged 10 -13 years. This includes consistent bed/wake-up times. Limiting screen time after dinner will also help encourage a good sleep.

Normalising experiences of worry and nerves - Reassure your son that feelings of anticipation on their return to school is common and will be overcome once they’ve settled back in - this can typically take a few days.

Encourage conversation - Set a positive attitude at the dinner table when discussing transition to school and promote an encouraging and affirming tone.

Look out for disengaged behaviours - Behaviours such as negotiating to avoid school-work activities, attempts to avoid going to school, appearing restless and distant can be visibly present. These are signs that may need to be communicated to your son’s Year Coordinator if they persist.

School schedules - The school morning can often be quite rushed, especially with having to balance your own work and family commitments. Creating a visual schedule to remind your sons to eat breakfast, get dressed, pack bags and make their bed is an effective way in assisting them to develop time management and a regular routine that they can commit to.

Prayer - Encouraging prayer and taking time to reflect on our greater purpose as Christians can have such huge impacts on our daily lives. The scriptures teach, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). You can feel that love as you speak daily with Him through prayer, seeking His guidance in your life.

I look forward to celebrating the many forthcoming achievements of your sons over the coming weeks in Term 2. 

Alexandros Sinadinos

Director of Middle School