Dear Parents and Carers,
This week Year 12 students have started to receive results for the Trial HSC examinations. I spoke to Year 12 students on Monday night about the coming week and receiving these results. They are a “trial” for their HSC. These results should help all students identify their strengths and areas for improvement for the HSC. I spoke about how some students will be very disappointed, especially those who feel that they had worked hard leading up to these exams. I spoke about how there are times when negative, adverse events such as exam results can lead you to experience a range of negative emotions such as anger, anxiety or feeling down. While these negative emotions are normal and understandable, when students become extremely angry or highly anxious, or feel very down I strongly encouragement them to talk to someone. I encourage them to talk to Pat or myself and their parents.
At the next division meeting I will be talking to the boys about dealing with this disappointment and preparing for the HSC. The following points will be covered:
- Dealing with Performance. All students need to look at their trial performance and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The next 6 weeks is the time to work on these areas. It is never too late, the next 9 weeks are important not the previous.
- Hard work is what is needed now. It is vital that students increase the intensity of their study. Most subjects have finished the HSC content for their exams. It is time now to finalise notes and, with a pen in their hard, complete as many past papers possible. These papers need to be given to their teachers for feedback. This feedback needs to be taken on board as the boys complete the paper again with the feedback in mind.
- Relaxation. When you are faced with pressures or other adverse circumstances and notice you are getting uptight, the boys need learn to calm down. There are a variety of relaxation techniques that you can use. For example, the 5-3-5 Relaxation Technique is a popular method. “To begin with, rapidly exhale all the air from your lungs. Next, slowly to a count of five, inhale…one.. .two;.. three.. .four.. .five. Hold your breath of air for a slow count of three…one…two…three. Now slowly, very slowly, exhale the air to a slow count of five… one…two…three…four…five. You have just completed one repetition. To continue to relax, breathe in slowly to a count of five, hold for a count of three, and again exhale to a slow count of five.”
- Find time to be a teenager. It is important that there is some down time. The boys need to keep their friendships.
- Be Confident. If they have done the work, they will be rewarded.
- Persist. Never give up, it is never too late. With past papers, try and try again. Each time adapting the teacher feedback to their responses.
As we approach the final four weeks of formal academic study at Joeys, it is critical that your son remains focused. Teaching staff, Pat and I will continue to motivate students to ensure that the commitment that has characterised this year group is not lost at the final hurdle. I look forward to working with you in these final weeks as the boy’s complete their formal education in a matter that is a credit to the College, a credit to you and above all a credit to themselves.
Regards
Darren