Junior School news
I would like to thank the Junior School families for all of their work during the remote learning period. MGSC staff appreciate everything you have done to support your daughter during this challenging time. The students really rose to the challenges they faced with determination, a positive attitude and showed resilience during remote learning.
The Senior School students have been learning at school for two weeks now and we have noticed that some students have taken a while to adjust back to the school routine. Please keep this in mind on your child’s return.
Adolescents require more than nine hours of sleep a night to function at their optimal. Whilst at home students may have been going to bed later and getting up later as they didn’t need to allow time to travel to school. Students may need to be waking up earlier to make it to school on time, therefore need to bring their bedtime earlier. This is something they should start doing in the lead up to returning to school. We will be encouraging students to focus on their sleep and a healthy sleep routine, in order to be able to make it to school on time and be able to concentrate in class.
Lack of sleep can cause:
- fatigue
- poor concentration and memory
- mood disturbances
- impaired judgement and reaction time
- poor physical coordination
Sleeping tips!
- Establish a regular bedtime routine (relax before going to bed)
- Avoid using electronic devices in the hour before bedtime. Blue light emitting from these gadgets stimulates the brain and inhibits melatonin production – the hormone you need to sleep. Devices should be turned to a “night mode” which controls the brightness on your device.
- Eliminate electronic devices from the bedroom. These can cause disturbances throughout the night.
- Limit caffeine intake after midday.
- Eat regular meals and don’t go to bed hungry. Eating a full meal in the hour before bed is not beneficial.
We will be sharing this with the students on their return.
Returning to campus
Let the Student Managers know of anything that may impact your daughter’s return to school. Please encourage your daughter to practice good hygiene, including washing hands regularly and not sharing water bottles during this time. Students need to remember to be kind and understanding of others who may be feeling uncomfortable about being back at school with their peers.
The Junior School teachers will support students with their return to the school routine and will use a range of activities to encourage them to reconnect with their class peers.
Water Bottles
Please ensure that students bring their own labelled water bottle to school with them each day as schools have been instructed that students do not drink directly from drinking fountains. Students will be able to refill their water bottles using a normal tap at the trough. There is tape placed over the drinking fountain so students do not use this.
Winter Uniform
Students must wear their Winter Uniform from the 1st June. This consists of either blue school pants or a winter skirt with a blue button through shirt. The recommended length of the winter skirt is 5cm above or below the knee. Navy blue tights, or blue socks may be worn.
Mobile Phones - Reminder
Mobile phones are not allowed to be used during the school day. They are to be kept in a locked locker during the school day and be turned off. Mobile Phones will be confiscated if it rings or if it is being used at all during the school day.
Farewell and welcome
We are sad to see one of our Year 7 Science teachers, Ms Kristian Tangso, leave us at the the end of this term. We thank her for her work this year and wish her all the best. We welcome Ms Edwige Kozinski who will be replacing her classes.
Junior Learning Centre
Over the last few months the Junior Learning Centre (JLC) has had a bit of a face lift with new carpet, lighting and a fresh coat of paint. We can’t wait for the students to see it!
Emma Holman
Director of Junior School