7 November 2024
From the Deputy, Preparatory Schools & ELC
Exercise and the Brain
During the Term 3 break, I reread a book called Spark: Research around exercise and the Brain. It was an interesting book which claimed that exercise may actually be more beneficial for our brain development than our bodies. It argued that vigorous exercise is necessary so that people can learn. This is an interesting idea for our students and their academic development. It is interesting to consider the impact of this idea for our teachers and the parents at the Prep School.
My observations are that our students are exercising regularly as part of the school program; some children could be more active but we provide a strong baseline level of fitness for all our children. Many of the teachers and parents in our community, however, are often consumed with the daily stresses of work, caring for children or running a household and rarely find the time or energy for regular vigorous exercise. It was the educational context and community perspective that made this book so interesting.
The book was written by John Ratey who is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard, who has written previously about ADHD in education. He argues that exercise affects many aspects of our brain, from mood to anxiety and attention. Exercise increases our levels of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) which impacts our thoughts and emotions. The book also explains how high levels of stress destroy brain cells and how exercise can reverse this process. When we exercise, our muscles produce proteins that travel through the blood and into the brain. If you did half an hour of exercise this morning, you are more able to sit and focus on this paragraph. The brain having the right balance of neurochemicals sets the stage for much of the work and learning that our children do each day.
The book shares some case studies about schools where increased physical fitness had a positive effect on reading and literacy levels. It advocated for students to participate in regular, vigorous exercise to improve learning. It also explained in detail the science of how the brain works and, overall, states that exercise improves learning in three ways: it improves alertness, attention and motivation; it helps nerve cells to bind with each other and it leads to the development of new nerve cells.
On a school level, we have looked at what we do in terms of regular fitness and vigorous exercise for our students in the context of our Sports programs. On a community level, we need to think about how we as adults can include some form of regular exercise in our day, even if it is in short bursts to help us focus, reduce stress and help repair damaged nerve cells from stress and modern living. It is tempting to ignore advice about exercise when it is solely in the pursuit of body changes, but it is harder to ignore when it is shown to be scientifically linked to stress reduction, improved focus and better wellbeing for our children and for ourselves.
Lindfield International Market
On Wednesday we sent home further information on our upcoming International Market, including two books of raffle tickets and an invitation to share with family and friends.
There are many great prizes on offer and the list will increase over the coming days. We’ll be advertising the raffle prizes and further details regarding this event in a New Spaces article to be posted by the end of this week.
P&F Contribution to School Using Back to Newington Day Funds
This week we received three new outdoor tables for our school community to enjoy. We also received a Gaga Ball Pit, which is a game that our students play on their Year 3 and 4 camps. It’s always a hit and will be in the playground for students to use as well as available at our International Market.
These contributions were donated by the Lindfield P&F, using the money that they raised at this year’s Back to Newington Day. We really appreciate the ongoing support and generosity of our parent community and the leadership of the Lindfield P&F.
PYP Exhibition
The PYP Exhibition is the culmination of a student’s education in a PYP school, and our’s is happening next Tuesday evening from 6.00-7.30pm on the Lindfield campus. All families are welcome to come along and see the presentations. Weather permitting, the evening will start on the lawn next to the pool at 6.00pm. All classes will have an opportunity to visit the presentations during the day.
Year 6 Exhibition Projects: Seeking Community Support
Our Year 6 students are tackling meaningful global issues as part of their PYP Exhibition, and three groups are calling for donations to make a difference and raise awareness.
Taj M, Harrison G, and Toby U are focusing on Poverty and Inequality and are working with Share the Dignity, a charity dedicated to supporting women and girls in need by providing essential health and hygiene products. Their mission is to end barriers to personal care and support vulnerable communities. Our students are collecting unopened feminine care items—including sanitary pads, tampons, reusable items, and related hygiene products—and would greatly appreciate donations from families to support this cause.
Another group, consisting of Tom M, Sean S, Luca V, and Tom A are raising awareness of fast fashion’s environmental impact. They have partnered with Upparel, an organisation that recycles textiles to prevent items from entering landfill and supports sustainable practices. They are asking for gently used clothing (clean and in good condition), that would otherwise be discarded, to support textile recycling and reduce waste.
A third group, focusing on Child Rights, consisting of Chris W, Benjamin S and Rohan D are collecting primary-level textbooks to share with children in Papua New Guinea, promoting literacy and learning opportunities. We encourage families to donate any suitable educational books they are no longer using which will go towards supporting children’s access to learning materials in areas where resources are limited.
Donations can be made up until Week 7 in the Year 6 classrooms, after which the collected items will be sent to support these organisations and communities. Thank you for helping our students make a positive impact!
The Fortnight That Was
Watch our video about Weeks 3 and 4 here.
What Happened This Week
Sport
Congratulations to the following students for receiving the Spirit Award in Round 9. Once again, all students played extremely well in their chosen Summer sports.
Lindfield Spirit Recipients
Basketball
| Snr Black | Max T | Tom M |
| Snr White | Dennis X | Callum W |
| Snr Grey | Eden K | Seb S |
| Snr Orange | Elliot B | Joshua L |
| Snr Green | Andrew V | Ian V |
| Snr Yellow | Blake T | Hubert M |
| Jnr Black | Tristan C | Michael K |
| Jnr White | Lucas F | Spencer C |
| Jnr Grey | Zheng H | Warren L |
| Jnr Orange | Adrian L | Jack R |
| Jnr Orange | Carson W | Nicholas E |
Cricket
| Snr Black | Liam H | Sam W |
| Snr White | Andy L | Siddhanth V |
| Snr Grey | Whole team | |
| Year 4 | Cancelled | |
| Year 3 | Max K | Miles W |
Touch Football
| Snr Black | Taj M | Keaton W |
| Snr White | Austin C | Luca W |
Chapel Thought
I’ve been reflecting a lot recently on the enduring nature of hope. As we think about our own lives, and the struggles that we may face in our own journey, or even the ups and downs of life that we see played out in our communities and across the world, it’s important to be reminded that hope endures no matter what. As far back as Greek Mythology and Pandora’s Box, there’s always been an idea that no matter what may happen, hope still remains. Our Christian faith also reminds us that, through God, we can always find hope. As we face individual challenges or look at issues facing the world, it’s important to remind ourselves that God’s hope endures. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that in God we can find strength and a hope that endures.
Our faith reminds us that no matter what, God is with us, and He sustains us in the good times and the challenging times. Our faith reminds us that God loves us no matter what. As we face whatever comes our way in our life, or in our world, we can remember that God’s hope endures no matter what.
Pastor Richard La’Brooy
Lindfield Prep Shop is now online
Please refer to New Spaces to read more about uniform ordering arrangements for the Prep Shop.
Connection and conversations at Eungai Creek
It’s one of life’s sweet ironies that through distance comes re-connection, and Mr Mark Morrison, OAM and Director of Eungai Creek, believes it brings something else important too – gratitude. In this article Mark shares shares how our Year 9 students are bonding through outdoor immersion and embracing handwritten letters, which spark deep conversations and greater connections with parents and other students. Read more here.
Successful String Concert
Last Friday around 70 students performed at the end of year String Concert. It was the final performance for this years Year 3 class and next year they move on to a wind instrument. It is also getting close to the time when we say farewell to the Year 6 boys who have been part of the School String Ensemble for some since year 2. Jeremy T, Christopher Z, both violin players and Jayden L and Benjamin S, both Cello players, are all going to be missed.
Congratulations to all the musicians who performed.
Staff Profile
In the coming weeks, we will be profiling a staff member from each of our different campuses. This week, we introduce you to Melissa Mitreski, Head of Whitaker House at our Stanmore Senior campus.
Q. What are some of the qualities that make a great teacher?
A. A great teacher embodies patience, understanding, and most of all adaptability. A great teacher also creates an environment where students feel safe to take risks and learn from their mistakes. Their passion for the subject is also contagious, sparking a similar enthusiasm in their students. Great teachers are lifelong learners, always seeking new ways to improve and innovate in their teaching methods. For me, I get immense fulfillment from helping students grow (both in and outside of the classroom) and watching them succeed.
Q. Which book, movie, or TV show do you think every student should experience at least once, and why?
A. There are so many great options, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. This novel beautifully explores themes like identity, belonging, love, loss, and empowerment—things every young person can relate to at some point in their life. The story really resonated with me and offers a lot of valuable insights.
Q. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to students that you wish you had known when you were in school?
A. I wish I had known the true value of resilience when I was a student. There were times when I felt overwhelmed by challenges and setbacks, whether it was struggling with a difficult subject or not performing as well as I had hoped on an assessment. Looking back, I realise that these moments were crucial for my growth, and I remind myself of this even as an adult. It’s important to understand that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process and not a reflection of your abilities or potential. Embrace setbacks and roadblocks as opportunities to learn, reflect, and grow, as these are stepping-stones to success and character building.
