Message from Liz 

The importance of sleep in learning

At St Joseph’s, we are committed to supporting our students to be ready to learn each day—and we value your partnership in this from home. 

Over the past 18 months, our staff have been engaging in professional learning with neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath, exploring the important connections between stress, technology, sleep, and learning. We’re excited to begin sharing some of these insights with our school community. 

Learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends—your child’s brain continues the process during sleep. Effective learning follows a natural cycle: paying attention in class, beginning to understand new ideas, strengthening those memories during sleep, and then practising and recalling them later. Sleep plays a vital role in this cycle by helping to “lock in” what has been learned.  

Without enough quality sleep, children may find their learning feels shallow, they forget information more quickly, and they might feel frustrated, as if they studied but can’t remember what they learned. 

Children need good sleep to learn effectively. Research shows that when children don’t get enough sleep, their attention, memory, and problem‑solving skills are all reduced, and they may also find it harder to manage emotions and behaviour. These are the key skills the brain relies on for learning.  

In simple terms, when a child is tired, it’s not just about behaviour—it's a sign that their brain isn’t ready to learn at its best. 

Do It for Dolly Day

Today, our school joined thousands of others in remembering Dolly Everett and working together to create a kinder, safer world for every child.

Students took part in fundraising activities and wore blue to stand up against bullying, we completed activities that:

• Helped raise awareness of the serious impact bullying can have
• Helped students feel safe, supported, and valued
• Which in turn, supports important programs, including anti-bullying workshops in schools, the Bullying Support Line (13 DOLLY), and Mental Health First Aid training for teachers

We know our effort makes a difference. 

Together, we can spread kindness and help make a positive change in Dolly Everett’s memory.

Exciting News 

We are thrilled to be recipients of an Elmore, Lockington, Rochester Community Bank Grant. As all families are aware, the Parents and Friends have been working towards improving our grounds for a number of years. We know that this will entice families into our space where they will see the wonderful learning and support all children receive. 

This is a $20 000 grant and a significant contribution to our fundraising efforts. We are so grateful to the Elmore, Lockington and Rochester Community Bank for their generous donation. 

Thanks for your support.