Newsletter:
PRINCIPAL'S NEWS
Recently, over 250,000 students from ages 8 to 18 were surveyed on their night phone habits. This study found that 28% of 8–11-year-olds, 57% of 12–14-year-olds and 80% of those 15 years and older sent or received messages between 10pm and 6am. This affects the likelihood of students getting their recommended required sleep per night, which can then impact on their ability to focus on school and their learning. But what is the required amount of sleep, and does it change with the age of the child?
In adolescence many students develop poor sleeping habits, and by age 15, the vast majority are sleep deprived. Sleep is when muscles and tissues repair, when neural connections are refined, and our bodies are flooded with positive neurochemicals. Lack of sleep can lead to increased levels of stress, difficulties in regulating emotions, increased irritability, and negative thoughts. As a parent – does this sound familiar?
A recent study of adolescents in the UK found that teens who slept less at age 15 were significantly more likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety at age 17 and in their early 20s. So, you would think this might be easy for us to address – just sleep more!
But how long do adolescents need to ‘sleep’ each night. We often hear the recommended 8 hours a night, but recent research completed at the Stanford sleep camp suggested that teenagers might need an hour or more sleep than younger kids, averaging 9.25 hours a night.
However, most adolescents shift into ‘night owls’ as their brain tells them to go to bed later and wake up later than young kids and grownups.
So – do we accept that testing, social media and gaming late in the evening is unavoidable? Not really – it is not that black and white, but if we allow our teens to add light, technology, and online socialisation to their already delayed sleep patterns, this can increase brain arousal and suppress sleep chemistry. Meaning – it is more difficult to get to sleep, and then more difficult to get up.
Some suggestions for our teens (and parents and caregivers)
- less light in the evenings – dim the lights. Turn off the screens before you go to bed.
- more light in the mornings – keep the blinds open – sunshine is fabulous.
- 10 minutes outside in the sun each morning can help (go outside for breakfast if you can). Even better – walk to school (if appropriate).
- keep those phones and devices out of the bedroom – even knowing they are there impacts sleeping patterns and attention and focus.
For us adults – model good habits where you can!
Mrs Deborah Clancy
Principal
KEY DATES FOR THE DIARY
- Tuesday 7 June – Year 6 trip to Canberra
- Tuesday 7 June – Aladdin JR musical opening night
- Wednesday 8 June – Aladdin JR musical performance
- Wednesday 8 June – Interschool Chess Challenge
- Thursday 9 June – CIS Cross Country
- Monday 13 June – Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
- Tuesday 14 June – Years 7-12 Conference Day
- Tuesday 14 June – P&F Meeting
- Wednesday 15 June – Year 11 2023 Information Evening
- Friday 17 June – School photo day
- Monday 20 June – Junior School K-6 Curriculum Evening
- Monday 20 June – Twilight athletics carnival – Years 2 to 12
- Wednesday 22 June – Senior school 7-12 curriculum information evening
- Thursday 23 June – Year 2 pirate day
- Friday 24 June – Pride in Excellence morning tea
- Friday 24 June – Senior school term awards assembly
- Friday 24 June – Junior school term awards assembly
CHAPLAIN'S CHAT
Giinagay.
I grew up on the Mid North Coast of NSW in the town of Coffs Harbour. Here, we were on the lands of the Gumbaynggirr people and is why I open with their word for hello. I have been privileged enough to live on the lands of other First Nations people such as the Biripi (Port Macquarie), Bundjalung (Lismore), Whadjuk-Noongar (Perth) and now Darkinjung people here on the coast. I’d like to tell you a story that illustrates my deep admiration for those who have walked this land for thousands of years before us.
So, between 1994 and 1996 I was completing an environmental science degree at Southern Cross University in Lismore. We had a number of field trips as you could imagine, and one sticks in my mind. We had a multiple day camping expedition to Bundjalung National Park to the south of Evans Head. We also visited Broadwater National Park to the north, but this moment comes from the former. If you haven’t visited Evans Head and its surrounds then make plans to do so, it is a unique location. But I digress.
We were on a guided walk with a National Parks representative and were led to a midden by the banks of the Evans River. Growing beside the midden is a Western Kurrajong tree that is estimated to be more than 360 years old. The Marriage Tree as it is called by Bundjalung Aboriginals, was a gift from the Wahlubal tribe at Tabulam, when a wedding took place at Gummigurrah between a man and a woman. (Gummigurrah was the winter campsite for Bundjalung people). What blew my mind was that the seed for the Western Kurrajong had been traded the entire breadth of the country and now grew as this symbol of unity on the east coast.
For me, the Marriage Tree represents our theme for Reconciliation week this year, Be brave make change. It is only as we exchange our stories with respect, as we honour and acknowledge past hurts and build together a future of hope that we can be reconciled. Marriage is the symbol that the Bible speaks of where Jesus Christ is wed to his people. His actions of reconciliation model for us all a way forward. May we all work together and learn from the rich heritage that our First Nations people hold so that our Australia may be a nation worthy of a wedding banquet.
gaya naam naaraway (I am sorry)
Bless ya!
Reverend Matt
Chaplain
WHOLE SCHOOL NEWS
COUNSELLORS CORNER
Taming Gaming
I have fond memories from my childhood of playing pinball at the local ‘pinball arcade’. I know, I’m showing my age, but I also remember the excitement when video games were first released! My friends and I spent our pocket money, 20c at a time, playing Space Invaders, Galaga and Pac-man. We looked forward to that hour to two on the weekend when, together, we’d meet at the local arcade to test out our video game skills. Video games were recreational fun, but never ‘addictive’ for me and my mates. Any addictive qualities we had were restrained by the necessity to physically get to a video arcade, ration out of 20c pieces and wait until there was a free console to play on.
Fast forward to 2022. Video games are still fantastic fun, but they now come with some menacing complications. For a start, now kids can play video games pretty much anywhere - on computers, phones, home consoles and hand-held devices – and anytime. Games are also far more sophisticated now, with game programmers becoming very skilled at immersing players within games for longer periods of time. And gaming has become big business. Consultants PwC found that the gaming industry in Australia was worth $3.4 billion in 2020 and seems set to grow. Clearly there are strong forces that want our kids enjoying their games.
Many of our kids enjoy recreational computer gaming and maintain a healthy balance in their lives. Some, however, can lose that balance and gaming can become genuinely addictive. Some researchers believe that up to 10% of young people in western countries can have gaming addictions.
An important question for us to ask is “how would I know if my child had crossed the line from gaming as an enjoyable pastime, to gaming as an addiction?”. The formal answer to this is that gaming becomes ‘disordered’ when it causes significant impairment or distress. But what does this look like? Here are some questions we can ask to help tease this out:
- Does my child get ‘withdrawal symptoms’ when gaming is taken away or not possible? Examples of these symptoms include becoming sad, anxious, or irritable.
- Is my child preoccupied with gaming? Is gaming constantly on their mind, at the expense of other thoughts and activities?
- Is my child showing signs of ‘tolerance’ with gaming? That is, do they need to spend increasing amounts of time gaming to satisfy their urge?
- Has my child given up other activities or lost interest in previously enjoyed activities due to gaming?
- Does my child continue to game, even though he/she knows it is causing problems? Examples of such problems include significant tension in family relationships, or not completing schoolwork, or not getting to their job.
- Does my child deceive other people (including parents and teachers) about how much time they are spending gaming?
- Does my child use gaming to cope with or avoid negative moods, such as guilt or hopelessness?
The more of these questions that we answer yes to, the greater the likelihood that our children have developed a genuine difficulty with their gaming. Thankfully, there are things we can do as parents that will likely make a difference.
For some general tips on healthy screen and gaming habits, check out raisingchildren.net.au, where there is a stack of pages on setting up healthy gaming habits.
If you think your child is at risk of crossing that line from healthy to unhealthy gaming, one place you can get some direction is from Australian psychologist Brad Marshall – aka ‘the unplugged psychologist’. He’s written a practical and easy to read book on how parents can ‘take back control’ when kids’ gaming is getting out of hand. He also has a series of online video lessons you can watch (for a fee). Further information is available via Brad’s website: unpluggedpsychologist.com
Mr John Burns
Senior School Psychologist
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
Senior and junior school photos will be taken on Friday 17 June.
Make-up photo day Monday 20 June.
Where: K–6 junior school campus and 7-12 senior school campus
Uniform: Students are to wear full school uniform including their blazer for school photos.
Please click here to see the uniform expectations.
Ordering: Orders must be placed and paid for online through the photographer’s website www.advancedlife.com.au/using the school’s code which is B1C XF6 VN6.
Sibling photos: Sibling photos will only be taken for those who have ordered them. They will be taken on both the 17 and 20 June.
Please follow the link to order photos - Advancedlife photo orders
UNIFORM SHOP – CHANGE OF HOURS
The Uniform Shop will be open during school terms on:
Monday | 8am - 10am |
Wednesday | 8am - 10am |
Thursday | 2pm - 4pm (Previously 2.30pm - 4.30pm) |
Friday | 8am - 10am |
CANTEEN HELPERS NEEDED
Our junior and senior canteens always need helpers. Any parents, caregivers or grandparents are more than welcome if you can spare a day once a fortnight or once a month.
If you can spare time to help, please email dianne.hattam@lakes.nsw.edu.au
DISNEY'S ALADDIN JR. IS NEARLY HERE!
Don’t forget to book your seats, both performances nearly sold out!
To book please scan the barcode in the image above
Please click here for more information about about the production and parking availability
Performance times are:
Tuesday 7 June 2022 at 6:30pm
Wednesday 8 June 2022 at 6.30pm
WESLEY MISSION FOSTER CARERS NEEDED
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
It has been another fabulous week of learning in the junior school this week and I am continually amazed at the ways our junior school students are able to talk about their learning.
I had the pleasure recently to talk with a Year 2 student who proudly told me that they had received two “Coco and Jazz” tickets because they had been so good in class. I questioned them “What did you do in class that your teacher had to give you two tickets?” They responded, “I always finish my work and I always get the question right!” I was impressed. We continued to talk, and I learned this student really liked mathematics. “What about hard questions, do you always get them right?”, a nod, “right away? First time?”, a shake of the head. “What do you do if you get a maths question wrong?”, “I keep trying. I look at what I did wrong and try to fix my mistakes”. Wise words from a seven-year-old. We often tell children to “never give up or to persevere” yet many children don’t know the strategies required to do this. Our conversation highlighted that they were in fact, not always right, it was OK to be wrong, that you can become unstuck. I was impressed that this student said they looked for what they did wrong and tried to fix it. This is more than just seeing an incorrect answer, this shows a student evaluating and reviewing their work and responding to feedback. I suspect the teacher gave two tickets not for always finishing or always being right, but for always persevering, for reviewing their work and identifying where mistakes were made.
I can only imagine how excited our Year 6 students must be for their Canberra trip next week. Some are nervous about being away from home, others, given this week’s weather, are more worried about becoming frozen. I wish Year 6 a safe and enjoyable trip, one which will provide memories for a lifetime.
Speaking of Frozen, the senior school production of that other Disney classic, Aladdin JR starts this week. Our Year 6 students have the honour of watching the full-dress rehearsal on Monday. If you haven’t already, please get yourself a ticket to a night of song, dance, magic carpets and treasure.
Speaking of treasure! There must be some loot buried in the junior school. I’m sure I’ve seen pirates lurking around the Year 2 classrooms - aaarrrrgh!
Mr Greg Sewell
Acting Head of Junior School
JUNIOR COGNITO PROGRAM
As promised, our junior school teaching staff have provided a range of wonderful activities for our students to enjoy and participate in.
Please download the Junior Cognito program and book in some activities for your child.
LIBRARY
Premier's Reading Challenge 2022
Congratulations to the 25 students who have completed the Premiers Reading Challenge 2022 already! Also, thank you for all those parents and students who have started or indicated they will be participating in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge 2022.
How do I register my child for the challenge?
To register your child please complete the online permission slip via the school App as well as completing this registration form.
Your child’s reading log can be printed from this link (personal reading log). Completed logs are to be placed in the PRC box located in the JS library, no later than Friday 19 August 2022.
Students who struggle with their reading might consider the new 3-9 challenge category.
Any questions please contact Mrs Lou Tennant in the junior school library – lou.tennant@lakes.nsw.edu.au
National Simultaneous Storytime (K-2)
What a wonderful day we had for the 2022 National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday 25 May. There were wonderful activities for selected K-2 students to join in and we even had a special guest student - Mrs Clancy - join us!
This year’s book Family Tree by Josh Pyke, was a wonderful reminder about looking after our environment and that change is uncertain in our lives.
Cognito Pokémon Club is coming to the library in Term 3
Junior
Activities will include:
- Pokémon cartoons
- Pokémon board game
- Pokémon colouring and design
- Pokémon books
- Pokémon cards (cards will be provided for use during club time).
More details to come at the beginning of Term 3.
Mr Danny Summers
Junior school Teacher Librarian
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
There are so many activities happening in the senior school it could make your head spin, but it shows what a vibrant community we are. There is something for everyone to get involved in at Lakes Grammar and this is what I am seeing. From musical rehearsals to debating success, lunchtime and after school clubs, activities in class, academic care and lunchtimes revolving around building key capacities in our students. It is exciting to see our students flourishing.
There are some important dates coming up on our school calendar to put in your calendars:
- Tuesday 7 June and Wednesday 8 June – senior school musical – Aladdin Jnr – don’t forget to book your tickets!
- Tuesday 14 June – Student Conference Day – bookings can be made through parent lounge
- Wednesday 15 June – Year 11 2023 Information Night
- Wednesday 22 June – Senior School Curriculum Information Night
Please join us for these events so we can share your child’s educational experience with you and work together to help them build better futures.
I wanted to share with you a great community initiative in which one of our Year 10 students has been chosen to participate. Youth 4 Youth is a Central Coast Council initiative designed to ensure that young people’s voices are heard, acknowledged, and accounted for. Pahal is one of five young people to be selected and will represent young people on the Central Coast over the next 15 months. She, along with the rest of the action team, will be given the chance to engage in leadership and skill development to empower her to act, advocate and advise on local youth-related issues, programs and initiatives. We are very excited for this opportunity for Pahal and we know this will enrich our student community as she shares her experiences with them over time. What an excellent example of students building better futures for themselves by being involved in their local community. Please see below some information about upcoming opportunities in which Pahal would love to see some of our students and potentially older siblings for the first forum (being a school day, this would be for school-leavers who are able to attend) be involved – see more information here.
Have a look at this month’s Action for Happiness calendar – Joyful June – see how many challenges you can mark off this month!
Mrs Alison MacLarty
Acting Head of Senior School
SPORTS NEWS
SCHOOL ATHLETICS CARNIVALS
Unfortunately, council was unable to give us clear indication that Warnervale Oval would be safe and ready for use before the end of term to host our school athletics carnivals. We will be holding a twilight event for all students from Years 2-12 who wish to be selected in our school athletics team at Mingara Athletics Centre on Monday 20 June from 4pm-9pm (approximately). Parent spectators and helpers are welcome.
TAP (TALENTED ATHLETIC PROGRAM) - SECONDARY
Students can participate in weekly fitness training session every Wednesday morning in the school hall from 8 to 8.30am. It is a great chance to get together and experience a variety of training types. Students will also participate in an injury prevention session and fitness training session as part of the program on the last Thursday of term.
HRIS BASKETBALL GALA DAY - PRIMARY
Our Years 3 and 4 boys and girls basketball teams had a fun day at this event. For many of them it was their first chance to represent the school in a team sport. They played very well and learned a lot by just being involved in this competition. Thank you to Mr Lawson and Mr Giles for coaching these teams and the parent helpers involved on the day.
REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
Grayson K, Lincoln B, Kyah C, Charlotte T and Ashley P have been selected to compete at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships on Thursday 9 June. We wish them best of luck.
SCHOOL TEAM SPORTING TRIALS
School sports team trials have begun but have been impacted by wet weather. Information about these will be announced at assemblies and put on school notice boards.
Primary
- Basketball – 5-6 – trials on Tuesday morning, Junior School courts at 8am
- Oztag/Touch Football – trials/training: Thursday afternoons 3.20 – 4.20pm on the senior school oval.
- Soccer –3-4 and 5-6 – will be held during Years 3-6 sport time on Tuesday – TBC
- Netball – 3-4 and 5-6 – will be held during Years 3-6 sport time on Tuesday – TBC
- Futsal – 3-4 and 5-6 – TBC
Secondary
- Oztag/touch football – completed – training on Wednesday lunch times
- 15s Basketball – trials/training on Tuesday mornings at 8am in the senior school hall
PARENT HELPERS NEEDED FOR SPORTING EVENTS
If there are any parents keen to help at any sporting events, it is most welcomed. You will need to supply a current working with children check number, sign a school volunteer form and code of conduct. If you are keen and interested, please contact Mr Beecroft – darren.beecroft@lakes.nsw.edu.au
KEY SPORTING DATES FOR TERM 2
- Tuesday 7 June – HRIS Secondary Opens Basketball Gala Day
- Thursday 9 May – NSWCIS Cross Country
- Thursday 16 June – HRIS Secondary Boys 15’s Football Gala Day
- Monday 20 June – Primary Central Coast Futsal Gala Day
- Monday 20 June – School Twilight Athletics Carnival
- Thursday 23 June – Open Boys and Girls Central Coast Futsal Gala Day.
Mr Darren Beecroft
K-12 Sports Coordinator
