Dean of Studies | Acting Dean, Mr Mason Hellyer

Professor Geoff Masters, current CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Reresearch, made the statement that the one purpose of assessment is “to establish and understand where learners are in an aspect of their learning at the time of the assessment.”

As a school we are at that point in the term where students are ‘formally’ assessed in order to ascertain where they are at this point in time with their learning, and to also report back to students and parents. Years 10-12 start their exams next week and the remainder of the year groups in Week 10. However, the information collected from the exam period is also used to inform and shape teaching and learning into the future. The data is used to track student performance, ascertain whether students are working to capacity and to highlight individual, subject and cohort strengths and weaknesses.

One of the most powerful outcomes of this reporting period is the Parent/Student/Teacher interviews early in Term 3. This is an opportunity to conference and to generate strategies to assist your son’s learning. Information regarding these interviews will be sent home in the coming weeks.

During this period of assessment, students will be under stress. I have reinforced, especially with the Senior students, that to feel nervous or anxious prior to an exam is normal. It is largely a physiological response and it should be recognised that it is okay to have some anxiousness. Dealing with this reaction is vitally important. Deep breathing, task focus and breaking tasks into smaller more manageable parts are all strategies that have been explained to the boys.

Another important aspect in dealing with exam block is to normalise your son's routine as much as possible, make sure he continues to exercise, is following a healthy diet and has enough sleep, especially the night before an exam. 

Exams are an opportunity to demonstrate what you know and to be rewarded for the hard work that has occurred through the term. All the best to all students in their exams.

The University of Queensland is offering students the opportunity to participate in the Young Scholars Program (YSP). Designed to nurture and develop our future leaders, the program presents students with an exciting opportunity for academic extension and enrichment and is designed to ignite young change-makers’ passions for leadership, academic achievement and community development in today’s global society. For more information about YSP, please visit: https://young-scholars.uq.edu....