Middle Years 

Middle Years Update 

The end of first semester is a time for reflection of all that has been achieved for students in their learning in the first half of the academic year. Students are encouraged to look back, and look forward. They should celebrate the growth in their skills and the knowledge gained through hard work and perseverance, especially when learning was challenging. It is also a time for setting new learning goals for Semester 2 and planning practical ways to achieve these goals. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing break. I hope everyone gets time to spend with family and friends, makes time for exercise and sleep.   

Much research has been done on just how much sleep teenagers need for their development and maximum performance.

All researchers seem to agree that:

-Teenagers require between 9 or 10 hours sleep each night.

-Eight hours is the absolute minimum.

When you think about it, this is perfectly logical as our teenagers are going through a major developmental stage and their cognitive maturation in their teens is rapid.

Growth spurts place extra demands on their bodies as does the further development of the teenage brain. For many it will come as a surprise to learn that many researchers insist that teenagers need more sleep than a 10 year old or an adult. Why?  The developmental demands on a teenager are exceptional.

Try not to argue about bedtime. Get your child to suggest how sleep-time can be increased. As parents we often find that habits which have already been formed are hard to change. To do so will require negotiation. Perhaps start by trying to gain an extra 30 minutes each night for a negotiated period. Hopefully your child will notice that the extra sleep has made a difference. If so it may become easier to reach the target, of 9 -10 hours, than you expected.

Parents can help their teenager to juggle the demands of extra curricular activities, part-time jobs and extra homework. For some, a 30 minute nap, before they clock on at a part-time job, might be part of the solution. Other students might need to prioritise how they spend their "free" time, cutting down the actual time spent on extras.

Another important consideration here is the time spent on smart phones, social media, gaming devices not only is the restriction of time here essential but also to is the actual timing of such activity . When they are using these devices is vital. Techno devices should never be used directly before going to bed.

Ban technology from the bedroom.

The type of light given off by these devices suppresses the body's production of the sleep inducing hormone melatonin. This means it becomes more difficult to fall asleep.

Avoid stimulants such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks in the evening to promote better sleep.

The effects of serious loss of sleep may include:

• concentration difficulties
• memory impairment
• poor decision making
• lack of enthusiasm
• moodiness and aggression
• depression
• risk taking behaviour
• slower physical reflexes
• clumsiness
• reduced sporting performance
• reduced academic performance
• increased absenteeism
• truancy

The holidays are a great time to catch up and put into place some good sleep, eating, exercise and study habits.

Extra-Curricular Excellence

At Koonung Secondary College we like to recognise the achievements of all our students, both present and former. Often, however, some remarkable efforts are not acknowledged at school, simply because we do not hear about them. Students don't like to boast and we remain blissfully unaware of what they have accomplished.

We invite parents, students and members of the extended school community to bring such milestones to our attention. Please forward a brief email outlining what has been achieved, certificates presented, medals won, or public recognition for service given to: howe.allira.j@edumail.vic.gov.au

The spectrum for recognition is as broad as the range of interests of the entire school population.

Headings may include those listed below, but there must be many more:

• Music: Instrumental, Voice,Dance, Performance
• Theatre: Performance,Lighting, Sound,Costuming
• Community Service
• Sport
• Art
• Literature
• Technology
• Gymnastics 
• Recognition from part time employers
• Scouts / Guides
• Duke of Edinburgh awards
• Martial Arts

We look forward to celebrating our quiet achievers and following their progress into the future.

Breakfast Club

Friday mornings from 8am in the MYC

Homework Club

A homework club is now available to students.  It is held every Monday  in the library from 3:30pm to 4:15pm.

Uniform reminders

• Blazers are to be worn to and from school
• Scarves must be plain black or navy  
• Spray jacket

Year 9 Life Life Update 

On Wednesday 19 June, three Year 9 girls, Dee, Amelie and Nathalia, donated 13 pot plants that they had decorated during the Live Life program  'Group' Module, to an aged care facility, Mecwacare.

Last term I was in the Live Life "Community" module and visited Mecwacare every Wednesday.  I was pleased to discover that in our new module “Group”, we could give back to anyone so our group as a whole decided it would be a pleasure to give to the residences at Mecwacare.  

Dee Kontekakis

We decided we were going to donate painted pots with succulents to give Mecwacare. Ms Hodson helped us get a sponsor from Bunnings Warehouse and we received a kind donation of 3 bags of soil and 20 terra cotta pots. We all painted a few pots each and did our own designs then we planted succulents in the pots.

Nathalia Candiloro

In the end, we delivered the pots and plants to Mecwacare on  19  June. The residents were very excited to see us and thanked us saying they were delighted with the finished product.

Amelie Bassora 

Dee,  Nathalia & Amelie with a Mecwacare worker 

 Two of the residents with the pots made by our students 

Deannah Kontekakis,  Nathalia Candiloro,  Amelie Bassora

Year 9 students