Middle Years 

The key this term is to be in a state of active learning. 

Welcome back. I hope everyone had a relaxing break. No matter what the challenges, students need to engage and make the most of this term. It has been good starting this week, and we are looking forward to school resuming for all students in the coming weeks. We are operating a hybrid programme until 26 October, and it is important that students start working now rather than waiting until they are back full time.  Whether students like it or not, they need to show discipline and find the motivation to keep going. 

I ask students; Are you organised? Are you hard working? Are you self-disciplined? Are you achievement orientated? 

I encourage all families to have an open discussion and ask; What is working well? What are the hot spots? What can you do to make Term 4 as positive as possible?

Summary: Weeks 2-4

Week 2:

Year 7 students - resume face to face schooling next Monday, 11 October.

Weeks 2,3

Year 8 & 9 students – resume two days a week, in Week 2, Tuesday 12- Wednesday 13 October, and work remotely on the other days. In Week 3, students are at school on Tuesday 19- Wednesday 20 October, and working remotely on the other days.

Week 4

Year 8 & 9 students will return full-time on Tuesday 26th October. 

Please note: 

In Week 2, our normal timetable resumes so classes are 50 minutes and lessons conclude at 3.30pm. 

There are no independent study days planned. 

Year 7-9 Parent Teacher interviews are on Tuesday 12 October, 4-6.30 pm. 

For Weeks 2 & 3, Year 8 students will join Mentor Meetings on Teams on Monday and Thursday, and House Meeting on Friday. 

Smart study tips

Rule # 1                Pay more attention

Rule # 2                Be more efficient

Rule #3                 Establishing strong routines

• Turn off your phone. Put your phone away completely. (Out of sight!)
• Control noise, study in a quiet area.
• Study alone and without interruptions.
• Sit at a clean desk.
• Study in short sharp sessions – 25 minutes, then have a short break and study for another 25 minutes.
• Don’t multitask. Practice single-tasking. Our brain needs to focus on one thing (eg: close tabs on your computer)
• Be in a state of active learning. 

In Tal Ben Shahar’s new book ‘Happier, No Matter What’, he writes about Resilience 2.0.

Tal refers to the concept of anti- fragile, this is when you bounce back from challenge and are even stronger than before the adversity. He says it is possible to be stronger, better, and happier after the challenge. 

That is what I hope for all of you. 

Mrs Julia Winter Cooke

Head of Middle Years