Secondary School

From the Head of Secondary

I am excited to announce our new student leadership team.  We had almost a third of the Year Eleven cohort nominate for leadership which bodes well for 2024. I thoroughly enjoyed working with our aspiring leaders at our recent workshop; seeing them work together, share ideas and explore the things that they value about our school and would like to improve was exciting – our school is in very good hands. This new group will be going through a period of induction and will officially take over in Week Three next term, following Valedictory.

Support with Exams

I read an interesting article this week by Daniel Merza who shared some tips for parents to support their children with exam stress.

Here are his words:

As Year 12 students approach their final exams, they grapple with a multitude of stressors, including the pressure to excel, the fear of failure, an overwhelming academic workload, and the uncertainty that looms on the horizon.

It’s important to recognize that stress is an inevitable part of life, and in fact, it plays a vital role in building resilience. While we cannot entirely evade stress, we have the power to manage it effectively. What we can steer clear of, however, is falling into the depths of distress.

“Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”

- Joshua Marine

As a parent, your support and guidance can make all the difference in helping your child navigate this crucial phase with confidence and resilience.

Here are 10 tips to help your child manage stress heading into their final exams, avoid distress and finish Year Twelve with tenacity, optimism and empowerment.

1. Recognizing the Signs: As a first step, tune in and stay connected. Watch for signs of distress like constant panic, agitation, nervousness, fatigue, nausea, isolation and sleeplessness.
    
2. Open Non Confrontational Dialogue: Talk openly with your child to understand the root of their distress (monkeys on their back). Create a judgment-free space for them to express their feelings. Listen actively and empathetically, without the urge to offer advice. Ensure they feel heard and understood.
    
3. Set Realistic Expectations: Collaboratively establish achievable goals and expectations. Instead of fixating on the elusive ATAR. emphasize the importance of their personal best.
    
4. Success in the Journey: Remind your child that success is not solely defined by exam results. It’s about the pursuit of excellence and personal growth, regardless of the outcome. The fruit is in the pursuit.
    
5. Explore Post-Year 12 Pathways: The ATAR is not the end-all, be-all. Encourage your child to explore diverse pathways available after Year 12, opening their eyes to a world of opportunities.
    
6. Avoid Comparisons:  Comparison can be detrimental. Help your child focus on their progress and journey rather than comparing themselves to peers, siblings or relatives.
    
7. Prioritize Health & Prevent Burnout: Promote healthy eating, sufficient rest, and regular exercise for a healthy body and mind. Recommend short study breaks to prevent burnout.
    
8. Family Bonding: Keep the spirit of fun and connectedness alive with regular family activities. Your support system can provide a much-needed emotional anchor.
    
9. Behind-the-Scenes Support: Small gestures, such as cooking their favorite meal or ensuring a quiet study environment, can go a long way in reducing stress.
    
10. Daily Encouragement: Remind your child daily that your love and support are unwavering, regardless of their academic achievements.

While the final exams may bring stress, with your guidance and support, your child can thrive during this challenging period. By recognizing distress signs, engaging in open dialogue, and promoting a healthy perspective on success, you can help your child build resilience and embark on a path to success that extends far beyond Year 12.

I’ll leave you with the inspiring words of Jesse Jackson:

“Your children need your presence more than your presents”

- Jesse Jackson

Read more of Daniel’s articles: Inspirational Stories | Daniel Merza

Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) News

We completed our second round of OLNA this week and I have enjoyed working with students to achieve this important milestone.  Results for this round will be available in the first week of next term and we will release them through SEQTA, as usual.

Meanwhile our Year Nine students have been working hard to prepare for their first round of OLNA which takes place next term.  Many of them have been attending Numeracy and Literacy Academic Support sessions and I know that they will be attempting their first round of assessments with more confidence.

Thank you to staff for supporting students with their preparation. More information and support is available on MyGSG in the OLNA – Support and Advice file on the Secondary School page.

Mrs Victoria Turnor | Head of Secondary