KORERO FROM MEL

In Week 8 we supported our first group of Year 10 students to sit the new NCEA Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite Common Assessment Tasks in Reading, Writing and Numeracy. Our team have worked very hard over the last weeks to get our school ready and to identify those students who are ready to attempt the first round of these assessments. 

Students will need to achieve these Co-requisite Standards to gain their NCEA certificate and we are giving our Year 10s a head start on this process by achieving these before starting their full NCEA journey in Year 11 and beyond. While we hope for our students to find success in this assessment, they will have another opportunity in October and again in Years 11 and 12, and so for some their focus will be experiencing a high stakes assessment under exam conditions.

One thing students can be doing to ensure they are assessment ready, for both the Co-requisite assessment and for learning in general, is to ensure they are getting enough sleep.

Adolescence is a period of significant physical, emotional and cognitive growth and quality sleep plays a vital role in supporting these developmental processes. Sleep deprivation among teenagers has become a concern in recent years, affecting their overall health and academic performance. As partners in your child's education, we believe it is essential to promote healthy sleep habits and raise awareness about the benefits of restful nights.

Research shows that teenagers require approximately 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Sufficient sleep has numerous advantages, including enhanced concentration, improved memory retention, better emotional regulation and increased overall well-being. In contrast, inadequate sleep can lead to difficulties in attention, reduced cognitive functioning and negative effects on physical and mental health.

To support healthy sleep habits, we encourage you to establish consistent bedtime routines with your child. Limiting the use of electronic devices, especially before bedtime, can also contribute to better sleep quality.