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Having a healthy sleep pattern, and maintaining this over time, is very important for all age ranges, but particularly important in children and teenagers.
Dr Philip Tam, Psychiatrist and Knox Researcher in Residence
In fact, along with having a healthy, balanced diet and doing regular physical exercise, it is one of the ‘foundation stones’ of building physical and mental wellbeing.
Current research shows that primary school age children require 9-10 hours of quality (ie. unbroken, uninterrupted) sleep each night, and teenagers need 8-9 hours sleep.
We know that many children and teenagers are not getting enough sleep, on a regular basis. The reasons for this are numerous, with the main ones being the pressures of homework and revision; numerous extra-curricular activities; digital distractions such as TV viewing, smartphone use and computer gaming; anxiety or worries at night-time; and physical health problems impacting on sleep.
The long-term negative effects of having inadequate sleep are numerous and potentially serious. Both physical and psychological health can be adversely impacted. We know that the body’s immune system and the brain ‘repair’ themselves during deep sleep, so missing out on this can make us more prone to coughs and colds, other infections, anxiety, memory and recall problems, and even depression. Inadequate sleep, especially when associated with a condition called sleep apnoea, can cause long term difficulties with body-weight control.
Dr Philip Tam, Psychiatrist and Knox Researcher in Residence
25 June 2025
“We were motivated to invent a tool that would help the community and society, by making an application not just for us students,” said Daniel (Year 11). “From what I’ve observed, our Student Administration Officer takes a lot of phone calls about student absence, and she could have more time to be focused on more meaningful tasks.”
24 June 2025
Titration Club launched in Term 2 with great success, attracting more than 40 Years 11-12 Chemistry students. Each week, students performed precise analytical titrations in preparation for the NSW National Titration Competition, held on Friday 13 June at the University of Technology Sydney.
20 June 2025
Knox Grammar School’s Senior School Instrumental Ensembles have delivered exceptional performances across all divisions at the 2025 Sydney Eisteddfod. Returning to a full suite of Eisteddfod performances this year, our Knox Academy of Performing Arts (KAPA) proudly celebrates our best overall results to date, including first place in every Secondary School Premium Section entered.
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