Deputy Principal, Teaching and Learning
Exam Preparation begins NOW!
This is a big week at The Hamilton and Alexandra College. We celebrate our 150th year and in doing so, we celebrate learning.
This week also marks three weeks until our students in Year 7-11 begin their mid-year examinations. Students will receive a copy of the examination guidelines this week, as well as a copy of the timetable. Please take some time to read this together.
For some of our students there will be some uncertainty around what to expect and how they can best prepare for the exams. Subject teachers have been encouraged to provide students with an exam revision overview in the lead up. This might include an examination revision booklet, a glossary of key terms to learn or some exam style practice questions to complete.
Aa a parent you can help your child by supporting them at home with a routine to study. Students thrive in a tidy study space to work in. If you can, print out the exam timetable and map out the time available prior to the exam. Consider creating a daily or weekly schedule so that your child knows when they have time to work, study, play sport and relax. This should include bedtime routines and mealtimes.
Some parents have found it helpful to write out goals for the week:
- 30 minutes of maths revision each night
- Memorising the new vocabulary for French (15 minutes each day)
- Five revision exam questions in History.
Elevate Education offers some excellent resources for parents. You might like to start here: Study Timetables – Elevate Coaching They also have interesting presentations on time management, memory, anxiety, and the live webinars runs specifically for the parent community.
The examinations are not only an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning but to also gain practise performing within a limited time frame in preparation for the Senior Years and beyond. Students should see this as an essential learning opportunity, where the focus is not only on your results but on the examination process. Students need to be in full school uniform to sit the examinations.
If your child is unwell during the exam period, you are asked to contact school immediately. Where possible an exam will be rescheduled during the exam week.
If you have more questions about the examinations, please contact your child’s mentor.
Susan Bradbeer
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning