Middle Years 

I said to students this week that having examinations is actually a good thing, and perhaps some discomfort is needed for our students. Holding the examinations has made students shake off some of their home learning habits and get back into the real world of schooling, and this means actively engaging in learning. Students have needed to shoulder the responsibility for their learning, to get themselves organised, to pay attention, and to revise diligently. Ben Crowe, Ash Barty’s mindset coach recently posted on the importance of “being comfortable being uncomfortable”. 

“I think I can”

These words capture a basic life attitude that all parents want their children to have: If I try, I will succeed. We all want our children to be able to cope with adversity, learn from failure and work through difficult challenges. This requires the belief you can master your environment and effectively solve problems as they arise. It is the ability to define a goal, persevere, and see oneself as capable. 

This is also linked to growth mindset. If we have grittier students, they will do better in many facets of life. Having grit is tied to having what is called a growth mindset. This refers to the idea that intelligence, like any skill, is not fixed but can be developed. Intelligence or talent is something that can be developed – it is not a case of you either have it or you don’t. We hope that students have perseverance, discover their passion and put in the effort to keep chipping away at their learning, whether that be mastering mathematics or the piano.

With grit and a growth mindset, you’re aware that your ability is not fixed, perseverance is the key, and failure is a speed bump, not a roadblock. Parents can help each child develop self-efficacy by helping them identity steps or paths to achieve their goals. Students who display high self-efficacy stay committed to solving problems, they don’t give up and they are active when facing problems. 

Elevate Study Tips for myPEC students:

Note Taking

Notes are often too long. Use your own words. Use trigger headings.

Use colour to highlight notes. Make mind maps.

Write the notes in specific revision note books.

Review notes within minutes of writing them.

Review the same notes 24 hours later. Review the same notes twice a week. These steps only take 5-10 minutes.

When memorising new material, students are encouraged to

Turn phones off. Work in a low noise area. Have no interruptions. Sit at a desk.

Short sessions are better - 30 minutes on/10 minutes off.

Don’t multitask – give your full attention to the material you are working on .

Effective study habits mean studying smarter can improve your ability to better retain reading material. These habits include approaching study with the right attitude, choosing the right environment and minimizing distractions.

Ash Barty said “go do the best you can” and this is my advice for all our Middle Years students.

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years