Andrew Watt – Principal

Message from Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC QC

The Governor of NSW has provided a warm message, containing thanks and advice to the staff, students, and parents of all schools with NSW. 

Goldie in Year 1 has an important request. Look out for the article entitled Goldie’s Message in this week’s edition of Ma Nishma.

Are you getting enough sleep?

This was the question posed to our High School students who participated in our online assembly – at least to those who could rouse themselves out of bed! Have you noticed your young adult(s) struggling to concentrate, mentally drifting off, or displaying a shortened attention span or poor memory? These can be indicators of sleep deprivation. Other signs include moodiness, aggression, and a lack of enthusiasm for life.

Research indicates that only a small number of our students will be achieving the recommended nine hours sleep per night, with most struggling along with 5-7 hours until the weekend. A good night’s good sleep is important, but it can be hard to achieve regularly, when life is busy, and when we are on our screens all day in lockdown. Many young adults have trouble falling asleep before 10:30 pm – not because they don’t want to sleep, but because their hormones shift the body clock forward by two hours, making them sleepier two hours later, at 10:30 pm. Scientists don’t fully understand why we need so much sleep, but it’s believed it helps us restore ourselves physically, as well as organise things in our brain.

There is one area that both parents and children alike can control – and that is the use of screen-based devices, such as smart phones and other devices used around bedtime. The lure of stimulating entertainment such as television, the internet and computer gaming, can keep us out of bed. Part of the issue is due to light exposure, as light cues your brain to stay awake. In the evening, lights from televisions, mobile phones and computers can prevent adequate production of melatonin, the brain chemical responsible for sleep. Some practical ways we can improve our sleep patterns include:

1. Choose a relaxing bedtime routine; for example, have a hot milky drink before bed, or use meditation or mindfulness activities.
2. Avoid screens such as computers, TV or smart phones, loud music, homework, or any other activity that gets your mind racing for at least an hour before bedtime.
3. Avoid stimulants in the evening like coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks.
4. Keep your bedroom dark at night. Your brain’s sleep–wake cycle is largely set by light received through the eyes. 

We are reminded that even 30 minutes of extra sleep each night, before midnight, on a regular basis will make a big difference!

Kim Slender, School Psychologist

Kim Slender has resigned, to enjoy some much-deserved rest and pursue her personal interests. Whilst Kim will complete her part-time duties on the 29 September 2021, she has generously agreed to take on a significantly reduced load, to look after our Year 12 students, until the 19 November 2021.

After 18 years of loyal service, Kim’s departure will be a sad loss! In addition to her wonderful support of our students as a School Psychologist, Kim has also pioneered and supported our involvement in March For The Living and the PAWS.b Mindfulness programs. She has also been involved in our Chavayah and Jilkminggan trips.

I am sure that you will join me in wishing Kim all the very best for the future.

Online impromptu debating 

Last Wednesday, our Middles (Years 7 and 8) and Seniors (Years 9 and 10) debated against each other, in mixed teams. This was the first experience of impromptu debating for our Middles team. Our Opens team, along with Debating Co-ordinator, Yael Grunseit, adjudicated the debate. We have reached out to Reddam House, Rose Bay Secondary College, Moriah, and Masada, to invite them to engage in a ‘friendly’ inter-school debating competition. We have also received confirmation that the University of Sydney debate training day for our debaters will be held via Zoom in September and October.

Mazal tov

AICES Sports Colours Awards were awarded to Luca Calderon Havas, Maximillian Kidman and Jonah Trope – a fantastic achievement.

Quote of the day

“Isn’t everyone a part of everyone else?” – Budd Schulberg, American screenwriter, television producer, novelist and sports writer