The Summer Term is very much a term of two halves for our older children, with the challenge of exams balanced with the fun of residential trips, Sports Day, and the Upper School play. I’m sure many of you are already familiar with my view of exams, which I explain to the children, but I’m going to repeat myself this week as the message is an important one. Exams are part of life, and we have to take a Buddhist-inspired approach to things that we can’t change, even if they are not our favourite things to experience. Exams work very well within the growth mindset – what went well, what can I improve on next time? Working out exactly how to improve next time is in many ways more important than the mark you get. Exams are about learning to learn. Teachers have been exploring a wide variety of revision techniques with the children, helping those with different learning styles to find the right one for them. By the way, do you call it a mind map, a spider diagram, or a word web in your house?
I also discuss the non-academic side of exams with children, that of mindfulness and wellbeing. We have been looking at ways to reduce stress at times when you can sometimes feel the pressure. Revision should be little and often. In between sessions preparing, there should be plenty of time outside in the newly arrived sunshine. Find plenty of time for yourself alongside all the hard work. The message about screen time ending long before bedtime is more important than ever, and skipping breakfast on an exam day is never a good idea, no matter how nervous tummies might feel. For those in Year 8 preparing for next week’s Academic Scholarship exams, I am sure all of this is now second nature. My very best wishes to all our children, from Year 6 to Year 8, who sit exams over the coming weeks.
Our amazing Parents’ Association have a double page of information about the Summer Fair for you. It’s not too soon to start planning your picnic hamper, and indeed coordinating with other families to see who brings dessert! The PA team will be there to keep you supplied with tea, coffee, juice boxes, and ice lollies alongside the ever popular Bake Sale, and there are lots of stalls and games to explore. This will be a lovely occasion bringing our community together.
Finally today, I would like to concentrate on an event that we look forward to when the exams for Year 8 are Officially All Over. Our annual Summer Term production at The Barn Theatre is a highlight of the school year, and Mrs Griffiths and her team have been working very hard for many weeks. Tickets went on sale to Upper School parents earlier in the week, as their children are putting the show on, but I am delighted to extend the offer to buy tickets to the rest of the school, as I know the younger ones enjoy coming and seeing their Upper School buddies on stage, and look forward to performing on the same stage when they reach the top of the school.
Ms Elizabeth Lyle, Head
