Sleep On It: The Missing Link in Student Wellbeing

Did you know that 4 in 10 young people aren’t getting enough sleep? The effects show up in classrooms every day – tiredness, poor focus, emotional ups and downs, and even mental health challenges.

Sleep Ninja® for the Classroom is a new, teacher-delivered sleep education program developed by the Black Dog Institute to help students build healthier sleep habits. Designed for Years 7–8 and developed with input from teachers, students and curriculum experts, it includes three fun and engaging lessons on the science of sleep and its impact on health, learning, and wellbeing.

Watch this free 45-minute webinar co-hosted by the Black Dog Institute and Sleep Health Foundation, where sleep scientists, educators and health professionals explored:

• Why sleep is essential for student health and learning
• What Sleep Ninja® for the Classroom offers
• How schools and parents can work together to support student sleep

Featuring the expertise and insights of:

‍Kate Maston

Black Dog Institute Senior Program Manager, Psychologist

Kate is a Senior Program Manager at the Black Dog Institute in Sydney. Kate has a Masters in Clinical Psychology and is currently completing her PhD at UNSW in the field of adolescent sleep and wellbeing. Kate has worked in a diverse range of roles within the field of mental health; first as a clinician supporting children and young people in the community, and then transitioning into mental health research with interests in youth and adolescence, school mental health, and the importance of lifestyle factors to promote health and wellbeing.

Kayla Grant

PHDPE Teacher, Wellbeing Advisor

‍With over 16 years of experience as a PDHPE teacher, and the past decade spent working with adolescents in the wellbeing space, Kayla is a dedicated educator and Student Wellbeing Advisor. She currently is working at a prep-12 College in Southwest Sydney and is passionate about promoting young people’s health and equipping them with the tools to thrive, both personally and academically. Her approach centres on fostering strong connections, resilience, and a sense of belonging, ensuring every student can reach their full potential.

Dr Linda Schachter

Sleep & Respiratory Physician, Sleep Health Foundation Board Member

Linda is a Sleep and Respiratory Physician with over 25 years’ experience in the diagnosis and management of all sleep disorders including sleep apnoea, disorders of excessive sleepiness, movement disorders in sleep and insomnia. Linda has a long-term research interest in the effects of obesity on sleep apnoea, and asthma and the effects of weight-loss on these conditions. She runs a home diagnostic sleep service and is involved in sleep education in the community in order to get optimal sleep for everyone. She is a member of the Australasian Sleep Association and represents the ASA on several committees. She is also chair of the AMA VIC women in medicine committee. 

Dr Moira Junge (facilitator)

Sleep Health Foundation CEO, Health Psychologist

Moira is a clinical health psychologist with a specialty in treating sleep disorders and promoting behaviour change. She is also the inaugural CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation. After three decades on the front lines treating mental health challenges and sleep disorders, she made the switch from intervention to prevention. Whether addressing corporate audiences, health professionals, or the wider public, she brings clarity, credibility, and urgency to one of the most overlooked pillars of mental and physical health: sleep.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, healthcare professional, or interested community member, this session will give you practical tools and insights to help young people thrive.