Middle Years 

Creating positive learning habits

Sometimes when we stop doing a particular habit, we find that there is also another group of habits we stop doing, because they relied on the first habit. Habits which enable other habits to be created and exist are called Keystone Habits (from Charles Duhigg’s book “The Power of Habit”). For example, students using their record book correctly is a keystone habit. It enables students to write down what they need to do, prioritise when and how they will do them, manage their time to complete little steps in the learning process and organise their daily, weekly, monthly and term commitments. 

The above example was shown to be very true during remote learning periods last year when students stopped using their record books. The keystone habit was removed, and many of the other desirable habits were lost or became hard to reinstate. 

For myPEC students, keystone habits at home may include, having a regular place and time to complete homework, organising their uniform, school bag (and PE uniform) the night before and having consistent bedtime routines which enable them to quickly fall asleep. While at school keystone habits might include arriving to each class on time with the correct resources, attending music and sport practices and giving their best in each activity. For many of the Year 7s and new students, creating these keystone habits takes time and experience – like knowing what resources to bring to each class. This experience will come with time.  

I hope that all students can work towards a series of keystone habits for themselves that, as a result, create positive learning habits for their time at the College and beyond.   

Mr Ben Hawthorne

Head of Middle Years