As our senior students roll on towards week two of their Trial Exams, one often overlooked but immensely impactful aspect to consider is sleep. As our senior students juggle the stress that exams bring, the remainder of our GIS community is also dealing with their own obstacles and challenges and, as such, it is crucial to recognize that the quality and duration of sleep play a pivotal role in shaping our holistic health during these times. Fostering healthy sleep habits can be a gamechanger for wellbeing and academic success. 

Research, notably the work of Hirshkowitz et al. (2015) and Walker (2017), highlights the obvious connection between sleep and wellbeing. Sleep is not merely a period of rest; it's a natural process that significantly influences mood, cognitive function, and emotional wellbeing. Adequate and restorative sleep serves as the foundation for our students, and members of the GIS community, to navigate our perceived challenges with resilience and clarity.

The findings of Harvey et al. (2018) emphasize the critical link between healthy sleep habits and academic performance. Establishing routines that prioritize sufficient and quality sleep should not be optional. It should be a necessity for all students. Good sleep acts as a performance enhancer, sharpening cognitive abilities, and fortifying emotional resilience in the face of academic and personal challenges.

As educators and guardians of student welfare, we play a pivotal role in promoting the importance of restorative sleep. By promoting the significance of quality sleep in our classroom, corridors and assemblies; we empower students to prioritize their wellbeing. This involves not just acknowledging the importance of sleep but actively attempting to improve it. 

Warmest regards,

Mr.Lewis Griffiths and Ms. Alisha Muir

Heads of Student Wellbeing