Psychology

Ethics

Ethics is an essential part of Psychology. Year 10 GCSE students learned about the six ethical considerations that guide psychological research and then applied their newly gained knowledge to a range of real life studies that were conducted prior to the introduction of the guidelines to protect participants. Students were required to research their given study, summarise it for their peers and then explain which guidelines were adhered to and which were broken. Finally, they placed themselves on a continuum to decide which studies were the most unethical.

Islamic Studies

Year 9 Islamic students have been working in creating mind maps for the lessons they learnt from Surat Ya-Sin. They explained the importance of the Holy Quran and the messages of Prophet Mohammad PBUH and how they can apply what they learnt in their daily lives.

Secondary Production

If you are a keen reader and would like to write a review of a novel you have read, please submit an entry of around 150 words, including who you would recommend the novel for, to Mrs Horsham lhorsham@jebelalischool.org and we will feature it in The Junction! Happy reading!

Whole School: Thursday 14 October 2021 - Early Finish, Pink Day and Overseas Travel During Half-Term

We are rapidly reaching the end of this half term and as such, there are a few points we need to bring to your attention.

1. As indicated on the KHDA Approved Calendar, Thursday 14 October 2021 will be used for our staff to participate in the whole school development. In order to facilitate this, students will be dismissed from school at the earlier times of:

• 11.30 am - FS1 and FS2.

• 11:40 am - Years 1 and 2.

• 11.50 am - Years 3, 4, 5, and 6.

• 12.00 pm - Secondary - for all year groups.

2. Thursday 14 October will also be our annual "Pink Day'' in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. This will be a non-uniform day where children, parents and staff are invited to come to school dressed in something pink to raise awareness of breast cancer. We are arranging a charity collection on behalf of the Al Jalila Foundation *subject to regulatory approvals. Please bring a donation of 5 AED on the day and deposit it in the pink buckets that will be with our staff on the main gate at morning drop off. Any small change is also welcome. Last year we raised over 8,900dhs for Brest Friends in partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation.

Any students that have PE lessons on Pink Day can wear a non-uniform PE kit. The students must make sure they still have suitable clothing and footwear so that they are able to take part in their PE lessons. Alternatively, they can wear their Jebel Ali PE kit and wear pink accessories e.g. pink socks. PE classes with swimming on this day will still continue on this day.

3. Overseas travel

If you intend to travel outside of the UAE we request that you notify us in advance by completing the JAS Student - Future Overseas Travel Intention Form and strictly follow the procedures for the return to school as outlined in the Travel Procedures section of our website.

Article of Interest

Teens and Sleep

The teenage years are a formative period. The brain and body experience significant development, and the transition to adulthood brings important changes that affect emotions, personality, social and family life, and academics.

Sleep is essential during this time, working behind the scenes to allow teens to be at their best. Unfortunately, research indicates that many teens get far less sleep than they need.

Both the National Sleep Foundation and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine agree that teens need between eight and ten hours of sleep per night. Getting this recommended amount of sleep can help teens maintain their physical health, emotional well-being, and school performance.

Why Is Sleep Important For Teens?

Sleep is vital for people of any age. For teens, though, profound mental, physical, social, and emotional development requires quality sleep¹.

Thinking and Academic Achievement

Sleep benefits the brain and promotes attention, memory, and analytical thought. It makes thinking sharper, recognizing the most important information to consolidate learning. Sleep also facilitates expansive thinking² that can spur creativity³. Whether it’s studying for a test, learning an instrument, or acquiring job skills, sleep is essential for teens⁴.

Given the importance of sleep for brain function, it’s easy to see why teens who don’t get enough sleep tend to suffer from excessive drowsiness and lack of attention⁵ that can harm their academic performance⁶.

Emotional Health

Most people have experienced how sleep can affect mood, causing irritability and exaggerated emotional reactions. Over time, the consequences can be even greater for teens who are adapting to more independence, responsibility, and new social relationships.

Prolonged sleep loss may negatively affect emotional development⁷, increasing risks for interpersonal conflict as well as more serious mental health problems⁸.

Physical Health and Development

Sleep contributes to the effective function of virtually every system of the body. It empowers the immune system, helps regulate hormones, and enables muscle and tissue recovery.

Substantial physical development happens during adolescence and can be negatively affected by a lack of sleep. For example, researchers have found that adolescents who fail to get enough sleep have a troubling metabolic profile¹¹ that may put them at higher risk of diabetes and long-term cardiovascular problems.

Why Is It Hard for Teens To Get Good Sleep?

Delayed Sleep Schedule and School Start Times

During adolescence, there is a strong tendency toward being a “night owl,” staying up later at night and sleeping longer into the morning. Experts believe this is a two-fold biological impulse affecting the circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle of teens.

First, teens have a sleep drive that builds more slowly, which means they don’t start to feel tired until later in the evening. Second, the body waits longer to start producing melatonin, which is the hormone that helps promote sleep.

If allowed to sleep on their own schedule, many teens would get eight hours or more per night, sleeping from 11 p.m. or midnight until 8 or 9 a.m., but school start times¹⁸ in most school districts force teens to wake up much earlier in the morning. Because of the biological delay in their sleep-wake cycle, many teens simply aren’t able to fall asleep early enough to get eight or more hours of sleep and still arrive at school on time.

With reduced sleep on weekdays, teens may try to catch up by sleeping in on the weekend, but this may exacerbate their delayed sleep schedule and inconsistent nightly rest.

Time Pressure

Teens often have their hands full. School assignments, work obligations, household chores, social life, community activities, and sports are just some of the things that can require their time and attention.

With so much to try to fit into each day, many teens don’t allocate sufficient time for sleep. They may stay up late during the week to finish homework or during the weekend when hanging out with friends, both of which can reinforce their night owl schedule.

Pressure to succeed while managing these extensive commitments can be stressful, and excess stress has been known to contribute to sleeping problems and insomnia.

Use of Electronic Devices

Electronic devices like cell phones and tablets are ubiquitous among teens, and research, such as the 2014 Sleep in America Poll, finds that 89% or more of teens keep at least one device in their bedroom at night.

Screen time late into the evening can contribute to sleeping problems. Using these devices can keep teens’ brains wired, and incoming notifications can cause disrupted and fragmented sleep. Evidence also points to suppressed melatonin production from exposure to the light from cell phones.

How Can Teens Get Better Sleep?

Teens who are having sleep problems should start by talking with their doctor about how much sleep they are getting and how it impacts their daily life. Their pediatrician can work to identify any underlying causes and craft the most appropriate and tailored treatment.

Depending on the cause of sleep problems, medications may be considered; however, in most cases, treatment with medications isn’t necessary for teens to get better sleep.

A beneficial step is for teens to review and improve their sleep hygiene, which includes their sleep environment and habits. Some healthy sleep tips that can help in this process include:

• Budgeting eight hours of sleep into your daily schedule and keeping that same schedule on both weekdays and weekends.

• Creating a consistent pre-bed routine to help with relaxation and falling asleep fast.

• Avoiding caffeine and energy drinks, especially in the afternoon and evening.

• Putting away electronic devices for at least a half-hour before bed and keeping them on silent mode to avoid checking them during the night.

• Setting up your bed with a supportive mattress and pillows.

• Keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.