Middle School

We are excited to welcome our students and families back for what promises to be another engaging and rewarding term. We hope the break provided a chance for rest and renewal, and look forward to supporting our students in their continued academic, social, and emotional growth.

Earlier this year, our students participated in the annual Resilient Youth Survey, which provides valuable insights into their overall wellbeing—both at school and at home. The survey covers a broad range of areas including relationships, emotions and daily habits.

The results have now been returned and have been reviewed by our Home Group teachers and the Pastoral Care team. This important data allows us to tailor our Pastoral Programs to the specific needs of each cohort, ensuring that we are responsive and proactive in supporting student wellbeing.

Overall, students feel positively engaged and connected with their peers and family. They have a strong connection to school and they are hopeful in their schoolwork and finding solutions to problems. 

One key trend that has emerged across the Middle School is a pattern around sleep habits and device usage. A significant number of students reported getting less than 8 hours of sleep per night, with many using electronic devices until after 10:00pm.

Research consistently shows that insufficient sleep can negatively impact concentration, memory, emotional regulation, and overall academic performance. When students use screens late into the night, it not only delays sleep onset due to blue light exposure but can also lead to increased stress and fatigue throughout the school day.

We encourage all families to work together in setting healthy bedtime routines, including:

• Establishing a consistent bedtime that allows for at least 8–9 hours of sleep, sometimes more as students head into their teenage years.
• Creating screen-free zones in bedrooms.
• Encouraging device use to end at least one hour before bed.

By promoting healthier sleep habits, we can help our students arrive at school each day, ready to learn, engage, and thrive.

Ashlee Scott

Middle School Pastoral Coordinator

Year Level Leader (Years 6 & 7)