Senior School Report

Uniform

Winter is most definitely here! A reminder to all students that they need to be in the new school jumper and/or jacket. We also ask that students do not wear hoodies or other jumpers to and from school. As the colder months arrive, students are requested that they not ‘mix and match’ the summer and winter parts of their uniform (e.g. tights with the summer dress). Students should also ensure that the length of their uniform is appropriate for school.

Senior School Exams

Exams are almost upon us! All Year 10 and Year 11 students are completing exams in all of their subject areas. Students have been supplied a copy of the exam timetable and should ensure that they are adequately prepared. Regular revision is crucial and we remind students that a recommended 20 hours per week should be completed on revision for all subject areas.

Year 10 and Year 11 exams will commence Thursday 6 June
A copy of the exam timetable has been placed on Compass
Students are required to attend for their exams only; students can use the Library and Hub as a study space if they wish
Full school uniform is required whenever at school

Year 12 students are also reminded of their compulsory English and Maths exams on Friday 14 June. This will give them an opportunity to experience Unit 3 & 4 exams, prior to their VCAA exams at the end of the year.

Session 1 – English Exam – 2 hours writing, with 15 minutes reading time

Start: 9.15am; students should be at venue at least 15 minutes in advance

Venue: Room 106-107

Session 2 – Math Methods / Further Maths exam – 1.5 hours writing, with 15 minutes reading time

Note: students will complete the exam specific to their Maths study

Start: 12.30pm; students should be at venue at least 15 minutes in advance

Venue: Room 106-107

At this time, it is perfectly normal for students to stress about their exams; in fact, as exams are important, students should be a little bit stressed. However, this stress should not be paralysing and affecting their ability to focus and complete set tasks. Below are two articles which may assist parents in managing this time of the year:

The first article contains some tips from Andrew Fuller about managing stress and anxiety at this time.
The second article is from Michael Grose, published on the ‘Parenting Ideas’ website, about responding to your child’s anxiety.

We also encourage students to speak to their teachers, as well as members of the Senior School team and Student Services about their stress levels and managing their work.

We wish all students well in their exams – study hard!

Preparing for tests and exams – Andrew Fuller’s Exam Preparation Tips

October 31, 2016

If you have ever looked at a test or exam paper and thought, “I know that I know this but I can't remember anything”, if you have stayed awake in the middle of the night worrying about a test the next day, if you have ever felt butterflies in your stomach or a headache whenever you think of an coming test, here are a few ideas for you.

Everybody gets stressed.

Everyone gets stressed during tests and exams, even the people who say that they don't. Look around in a room where people are doing a test or exam. Even those people who are yawning, looking bored or stretching and looking as cool as cucumbers, are stressed. That means everyone has to learn how to cope with these feelings. It is not just you! Stress can block your memory, give you a queasy tummy, make you lie awake at night, give you a dry throat or a headache- these aren’t nice feelings to have.

Get Stressed

The first strategy to dealing with stress is to get stressed. Huh? Makes no sense? Let me explain. Stress feels yucky but it is actually your body’s way to getting ready to take on a challenge. Stress prepares you to perform at your best. Blood gets pumped to your arms and legs, your heart speeds up, and nonessential services like your digestion slow down- you are ready to take on the world. So stress might feel unpleasant but realising that it is your body’s way of revving you up and helping you to perform at your best, will help you to keep these feelings in perspective.

Write Out Your Worries

The second strategy to deal with the stress of an upcoming test or exam is to grab a piece of paper one or two days before the test and write down all your concerns about it. Write out an answer to the question, “What would happen if I fail this test?” Then write out an answer to the next question, “If I did fail what would happen then?” Read your written answers aloud to yourself. Even if doing well on this test or exam is really, really important to you, knowing your fears will calm you. Knowing the answer to the question, “If I did fail, what would happen then?” helps you to make a back up plan.

Chew Something

Ok you’ve done all of that and you still feel nervy. The third strategy is to eat or chew on something either before or during the test or exam. Check with your teacher that chewing something is allowed in test and exam rooms. If chewing is not allowed, at least chew something just before entering the test. Some jellybeans or fruit would be ideal. Chewing gum is not a good idea. Stress happens when we feel we are in a dangerous situation. It is an automatic process that we can’t completely control. Eating or chewing on something sends a signal to your body that says, “Well, if I’m chewing something I can't be in total danger, so relax a bit.”

Focus on now

Stress can spin your head. It can have you thinking all sorts of weird ideas. Stress can have you remembering that time you failed all those years ago or that time you were so embarrassed by something. Stress can also blow things out of all proportion and have you predicting bad things in your future. The past is no longer with you and the future hasn’t happened yet. Worrying has never changed anything in the past and predictions about the future are usually wrong. Doing well on a test or exam means you need to focus on the question in front of you now. Keep reminding yourself, “What do I need to do right now?”

Breathe Out - S L O W L Y

When you feel stressed one of the fastest ways to calm down is to breathe out slowly. We all have a calm down system that is controlled by our breathing. If you breathe out and count silently to yourself, “one thousand, two thousand, three thousand”, you will start to feel calmer.

Stand tall walk proud

Your brain is incredibly intelligent. In fact, you possess at the top your neck, humanity’s latest upgrade- the most intelligent brain in all of history. But! Your brain is also incredibly stupid. It believes what you tell it. This means if you stand-up and maintain a powerful posture your body sends a signal to your brain that tells it you are feeling in charge of things and it can reduce the stress hormones.

Remember the 5 Ps

There is an old saying, “Perfect preparation predicts powerful performance”. The best way to prepare for a test or exam is to: study the whole area you have learned; test yourself; sort the areas into those that you answered correctly and those you did not; re-study the areas you answered incorrectly; re-test yourself; re-study until you are getting close to 100% right; test yourself on the entire topic.

Look after yourself

Breakfast- eat “brain food” the morning before a test or exam. Have a higher protein, lower carbohydrate mix at breakfast. That means less toast and more eggs. Drink water- water lowers your levels of cortisol that causes stressful feelings. Avoid energy drinks as they rev you up and may interfere with your levels of concentration. Sleep well- try to get a good night’s sleep the night before a test or exam. If you are feeling really worried, set an alarm so you can wake up early and do some revision.

Diary Dates & Events

Diary Dates