Dean of Studies
Helping Students Perform (“Effort is its own reward”)
For many students and families, the conclusion of winter sports is now a memory, the trophies have been awarded, and the review of the season has been completed. For others, the summer season is about to commence and for students, the beginning of Term Four may be greeted with the anticipation of the end of year approaching, especially as Year 12 students have reached the end of their secondary school journey. However, Term Four represents the commencement of another season of striving for personal academic excellence. Students in Years 9, 10 and 11 may be directing their energy and focus to reviewing their goals and beginning specific preparations for examinations next month.
A performance expert, Dr Jacques Dallaire, who has worked with elite level performers (including motor sport drivers and international cricketers) has derived a simple formula for achievement of: A x B = Results, where 'A' represents an individual’s performance and 'B' represents ‘all factors outside of my control’. According to Dallaire, a performer should direct their focus to what they can control, for example: specific study techniques; the length of study; reviewing notes and past assessments and making a conscious effort to seek assistance. Further to this, he notes six simple strategies to perform at your best, in his book, Helping Kids Perform: Mental Skills Every Parent, Teacher, and Coach Should Master (2015). These strategies include (p.33):
- Remain calm, because when your mind is calm and clear, it’s easier to make good decisions.
- Adopt a singular focus on the task in front of you.
- Commit to a full-on effort because success most often requires effort and commitment.
- Be prepared to struggle and persevere in the face of adversity, because there is bound to be some.
- Again, control your focus so that it’s directed fully to the task in front of you – to the right thing at the right time.
- Trust in the fundamental truth of the 'A x B = Results' equation, and let the results look after themselves. Focus on what you control.
Whilst it cannot guarantee success, this approach begins to transform the mindset of a student towards delivering their best performance, leading to a willingness (and motivation) to persevere. And so, the key message is that even in Term Four, a student can commence using this approach (similar to the commencement of a new sports season) at any time and continue to make progress over the coming weeks in the lead-up to the final assessments. The formula for personal success is very clear: Focus on the effort and the process that you can control and less on trying to predict a result that has not yet occurred.
St Norbert College Awards and Presentation Evening
The St Norbert College Awards and Presentation Evening will be held on Tuesday 30 October, commencing at 7:00pm. Tickets may be purchased from Ms Tania Harvey at Student Services no later than Wednesday 24 October ($10 per ticket). Please note that your son or daughter has been allocated a ticket if he/she is receiving an award, performing in a music, drama or dance item or is part of the Year 7 Massed Choir. Award recipients will be notified by Friday 19 October.
Key Dates – Term Four
Please note the following in your calendar as the College approaches the end of year assessment period.
WACE Examinations (Year 12) - Monday 29 October – Thursday 15 November
- Morning Exams: 9:20am – 12:30pm
- Afternoon Exams: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Semester Two Examinations (Year 11) - Monday 5 November – Tuesday 13 November
- Morning Exams: 8:50am – 12:00pm
- Afternoon Exams: 12:50pm – 4:00pm
Semester Two Examinations (Years 9 and 10) - Monday 19 November – Friday 23 November
- All exams will be conducted over a maximum of two periods.
Students in Year 10 and Year 11 are required to be at the College for their scheduled examination time(s) only. All Year 9 students will continue to attend their timetabled lessons where no examination is scheduled.
Mr R Dowling (Dean of Studies)