Riding to School

Recently, we have seen a rise in students riding bikes to the College. Not only is this an environmentally friendly option, but it can also be a fun and healthy way for students to start their day. However, it is important to remember that riding a bike can also be dangerous if the proper safety measures are not taken. Below are some tips for ensuring that students ride their bikes safely to and from school:

• Wear a helmet.
  This is not just the law but a very important safety precaution for bike riders of all ages. A properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of serious injuries in the event of an accident while transiting to or from home.
• Plan the route.
  Choose a safe route to and from home, ideally one with low traffic volume. It is also important that students stick to the route that has been agreed with parents.
• Follow the road rules.
  Students need to adhere to the road rules at all times. This includes stopping at stop signs and traffic lights. Students should also not dart across busy roads, such as Nicholson Street in the afternoons, but instead dismount from the bike and use the designated crossing under the guidance of the crossing supervisor.
• Avoid distractions.
  It is vital that riders remain focused. It has been reported that some students are using their phones while riding. This must be avoided. If riding with a buddy, it is also important that riders consider other road users and ensure they are safely traveling to and from home.

Parents should also be aware that some students are arriving at school with significant amounts of treats that they claim have been purchased form shops on the way to school. Consuming large amounts of sugary treats does not constitute a healthy breakfast and should not be used to “top up” if students are hungry after riding their bikes. Our suggestion is to eat a larger breakfast at home before departure or to pack additional food in lunch boxes if the riders feeling famished when arrive at school. By following these tips, students can ensure they are safe while riding to and from home.

Screen Time

Excessive screen time has a negative effect on the brain development of children. Research has shown that excessive screen time can lead to a range of problems, including decreased cognitive functioning, poor academic performance, reduced attention spans, and increased risk of depression and anxiety. It can also play a major role in stunting the development of social skills among our youth as it decreases the face-to-face interactions student shave with others. This, coupled with potentially a decreased amount of physical activity, can impact overall brain health.

Blue light waves come from fluorescent and LED lights and back-lit electronic screens on televisions, computers, tablets, and phones. Exposure to blue light close to bedtime will make it difficult for students to fall asleep and stay asleep as it impacts the body’s circadian rhythm. These circadian rhythms are finely-tuned, 24-hour cycles that help our bodies know when to carry out specific functions. Light is the most important factor in aligning them. For millennia, humans used sunrise and sunset to align these rhythms, but with the advent of artificial light, we have been exposed to much higher amounts of light prior to bedtime. Blue light stimulates part of the brain and makes us feel alert, it can also even elevate heart rate as a response. It also supresses the body’s release of melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel drowsy.

The easiest way to mitigate the effects of blue light in the evening is to turn off sources. This means reducing the use of electronic devices after it gets dark outside and ensuring students do not have technology devices in their bedroom. Better sleep for students will lead to better outcomes at school and in their social interactions with their peers.

Camps 
This week our Year 8 students have travelled to Camp Cooby to work on their interpersonal skills and the College’s Learning Dispositions, especially optimism, motivation, resilience, and persistence. They have been blessed with wonderful weather and appear to be having a great time forging new friendships, strengthening existing ones, and growing more confident in themselves through the completion of challenging tasks.

Next term, our Year 6 students will depart on their Outback Queensland tour which will visit regional towns like Tambo, Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, and Charleville. This is a wonderful experience for our Year 6 students to see parts of Queensland that many will never travel to and to hear the stories from locals on how the towns formed and their rich history. We also visit some of the oldest residents of the region when we visit the fossils laboratory of the Age of Dinosaurs Museum at the Winton Jump-Up.

Just a reminder to parents of Year 6 students, that families will be required to organise their own swag for their child for this camp. Many families have these, but for those that do not, please ask friends or families members for a loan. They are also available at shops in town such as Golders and Camping World if you are looking for a birthday gift for your child this year. Please avoid the large dome style swags. We prefer the flat rolled swags for this trip as the under-coach storage compartment has limited space.

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years