Dear Parents and Carers,

How fast has this term gone? I cannot believe that we are almost a third of the way through your sons’ HSC Preliminary course.

Over the past few weeks in night study, it has been pleasing to see so many students developing study schedules. At our Division meetings I have continued to discuss the importance of preparation for half yearly examinations that will occur in week 9 and 10 this term. At last week’s meeting, I told the boys that they need to be at a stage, by the end of this week, where all their study notes are completed. At this stage they need to start to “train how they learn.” I explained to the boys that what I mean by this, is that just reading over study notes is not good enough for effective study, they also have to complete practice questions and responses, similar to what they will receive in their examinations. I have requested that all classroom teachers provide students with the following:

• Past examination papers
• Structure of the exam
• Topics that will be covered in the exam

To the boys’ disappointment, I have also informed all year eleven that I expect them to continue with a study program during weekends that is similar to what occurs at school each night. I believe that the boys should be studying a minimum of two hours a day during the weekend. I left the determination of when this will occur to the discretion of the boys. As I discussed at their Division meeting, some may decide to continue with a similar pattern that occurs at Joeys but others may prefer to complete their three hours early in the morning so that they have the majority of the day to themselves.

The boys are constantly told that the majority of them are working well and are a pleasure to teach, I truly believe that is because of the strong values that you have instilled in your sons. Thank you for your constant support.

Darren Frost