As someone who struggles daily with getting up due to fatigue, like many other teenagers, it is alarming and disruptive that Methodist Ladies College is considering changing the timetable halfway through the year. We shouldn't have to adjust to a new schedule that begins our classes at 8:20 AM instead of 9:00 AM. This change will extend the school day, affecting not only our mental health but also our academic performance and overall motivation.

The proposed timetable alteration dismisses the well-being of students in Kew, VIC, Australia. Scientific studies have shown that teenagers need more sleep for optimal brain function and development. A start time before 9 AM contradicts these findings and ignores the natural sleep cycle of adolescents. Shortening our rest will not enhance our learning; instead, it risks increasing stress and exhaustion. Not only would this lack of sleep create a downfall in students performance in class but also the schools academic reputation. 

Implementing this change midway through the school year is especially burdensome for senior students like me, who are confronting the most challenging academic period. This disruption comes at a crucial time when we need stability and support to succeed in our studies. Consistency in our schedule is vital, and making alterations without student input is dismissive of our needs and voices.

A solution could be to enforce existing policies more strictly, such as attendance in mentor groups or addressing existing timetable commitments rather than overhauling our day-to-day routine. We implore the school administration to listen to students, the primary stakeholders in education, before implementing such significant changes.

Our voices matter. We ask that Methodist Ladies College reconsider the proposed timetable changes. Join us in advocating for a school environment that values student mental health and educational success by signing this petition. Together, we can prevent this disruptive change and ensure that student needs are prioritized.

There is research shown that teenagers shouldn't complete extensive study before 10:30am. Thank you!