Middle Years 

“You can do anything if you have enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is the spark in your eye, the grip in your hand, the irresistible surge of your energy to execute your ideas, enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress”. Henry Ford 

Get Started – Essential Exam Preparation 

We are finalizing the Examination timetable, and students need to start preparing their revision notes over the coming weeks. Mentors have starting talking through proven study skills that benefit Middle Years students. Remember students are learning new examination skills; I refer to this as being on “Exam L plates”. 

Here are the first important steps:

• Buy a revision book. I recommend a 5 subject bound book: this larger book allows notes to be in one central spot. Also have a binder with plastic pockets. 
• Start collating your notes and resources:
  • Subject revision sheets – teachers have started distributing these to students.
  • Old tests and class notes that are relevant to the exams. The exams will be mainly based on Semester Two topics, but check with your teachers, as there may be topics from Semester One that will be on the End of Year Examination.
  • Start making flashcards 
  • Ask your teachers for advice. 
• Revision will start in most classes in the coming weeks, but I recommend additional time set aside each night for revision. I recommend at least ½ hour – 1 hour additional revision per night. The time spent on revision soon adds up and can give you a feeling of confidence.

Study Smarter 

If you want better grades, you need more effective study habits. The key to effective studying isn’t cramming or studying longer but studying smarter. You can begin studying smarter with these proven and effective study habits.

How you approach studying matters.

How you approach something matters almost as much as what you do. Being in the right mindset is important to study smarter.

Improve your study mindset:

• Aim to think positively when you study and remind yourself of your skills and abilities.
• Avoid catastrophic thinking. Instead of thinking, “I’ll never have enough time to study for this exam,” look at it like, “I may be a little late to study as much as I’d like, but since I’m doing it now, I’ll get most of it done.”
• Avoid absolute thinking. Instead of thinking “I always mess things up,” the more objective view is, “I didn’t do so well that time, what can I do to improve?”
• Avoid comparing yourself with others. Your skills and abilities are unique to you. You are learning about how to approach exams, and Middle Year students are on “Exam L plates”

Where you study is important.

Find a place that is conducive to study, with minimal distractions. Find a quiet place. Finding an ideal study place is important because it’s one you can reliably count on for the next few years. Get your study space in order.

Study Session

Bring everything you need, nothing you don’t.  Do you need your computer or will this be too distracting? Are you better off with pen and paper? Do you need your phone nearby or are you better off leaving the phone in another room? If you study best with your favorite music playing, try and limit your interaction with your phone while changing tracks. Your phone is a potential time-sink and one of the worst enemies of concentration.

Don’t forget the things you need to study for the subject you’re focusing on for the study session. Nothing is more time-consuming and wasteful than having to run back and forth regularly because you forgot an important book or some other resource you need to be successful. 

This week we welcomed the Year 6 Junior Campus students and started their induction to the Senior School. Next Tuesday 17th at 5pm we are conducting a Transition Zoom session for new Year 7 (2121) students. I am looking forward to working with our wonderful Year 6 students and making them feel at ease in myPEC.

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years

ONLINE WEBINAR Helping our young people navigate the secondary school years

https://events.humanitix.com/starting-secondary-school-post-covid-19-with-dr-michael-carr-gregg-and-sharon-witt-mount-lilydale-mercy-college

With Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and Sharon Witt

The High School years can be filled with a mixture of trepidation, excitement, anxiety, and stress. Added to this, next year’s cohort of Year 7’s will be entering Secondary School following an unprecedented experience at school in Year 6, many spending much of it in lockdown and in a remote learning environment. In this highly engaging and informative presentation, experienced secondary educator Sharon Witt and adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg combine their wealth of experience at the coal face of working with adolescents to bring the most up to date research and strategies including the following topics: 

• What effects has lockdown and remote learning had on our students and will they be disadvantaged due to the pandemic?
• How can I help my child who is worried they have missed out on so much in Year 6 this year?
• Understanding the adolescent brain
• Managing change: timetables, new school, teachers
• Homework
• Navigating friendships
• Managing their Health: sleep, exercise, nutrition
• Understanding Mental Health concerns of adolescents and when to seek help

Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years