Middle Years 

With the lead up to examinations (Week 7), many of the lessons in the Middle Years this week are focusing on revision. Not just revision activities, but also learning how to revise, along with exam strategies and how to maximise marks. These are all helpful strategies to not only reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the lead up to exams, but it also sets up the Middle Years students for success in the senior years and ultimately their VCE examinations.

In Year 7 and 8 Maths classes, one of the exam strategies that we encourage is for students to show off their working out. However, for other subjects I would expand this to show off their learning. By thinking about showing off what they know students add more detail to their answers, it encourages them to carefully read each question and think more deeply about the best answer. 

By thinking about exams as an opportunity to show off their learning, students’ attention is drawn to what they know, rather than what they may not remember or have forgotten. This moves their emotions away from feelings of fear and anxiety to more positive, academic emotions such as hope, pride and enjoyment. These emotions are all associated with academic achievement. By showing off their learning, students feel a sense of control over the outcome of the exam. 

Learning is an ongoing and active process so students should ensure they are doing something (practice questions, notes etc) as part of their revision, but I do hope they can show off their learning when they get to doing their exams next week! 

MR BEN HAWTHORNE

Head of Middle Years