Message from
Nurse Janice
Dear families
While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young people are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.
Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours. For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.
Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:
· low mood and irritability during social interactions
· reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
· falling asleep during the day
· difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
· changes to communicating or interacting at home.
You can help your child to improve their sleep by:
· establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
· supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
· encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
· encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.
If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or wakening unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length sleep, they should see a doctor.
For more information on sleep health, you can refer to:
· Sleep tips for children and Facts about sleep for parents and school staff, from the Sleep Health Foundation
https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-tips-for-children.html
https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/facts-about-sleep-for-parents-and-school-staff.html
· Why sleep is so important, from the Kids Helpline’s
· Sleep explained, from the Better Health Channel.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep
Immunisations
Immunisations for Year 7 & 10 students will be held on Tuesday 28th March. Thanks for returning forms.
Dental Van
The Dental Van visits have commenced. They will be here for a couple of weeks so it’s not too late to return forms. Consent Forms Yr 7 & Yr 10 Students
Please return these asap as the Shire are collecting them on Thursday. If you have misplaced the forms the School Office has spare ones.
Please return these forms even if your child isn't having the immunisations at school.
Janice Deocampo
School Nurse