Dean of Studies | Mr Mason Hellyer

At assembly on Tuesday, we had the opportunity to celebrate the College Swimming team before the rescheduled GPS Swimming championships. Like all of us, the team was disrupted by the extraordinary events of last week. However, their coaches have worked with the team in their preparation by focusing on the controllable and ignoring the uncontrollable. That is, to focus on the basics, the aspects of each swimmer’s preparation that they can control. You cannot control the weather or when the race is rescheduled, so don’t let these things distract you.

We are currently in the middle of a demanding part of the term for all our students – assignments are due, and exams are only two weeks away. Students will feel like there is a lack of time or motivation. We need to take a lesson from the Swimming team when you are feeling pressure and performance is not at its best – go back to the basics and concentrate on what you must do next:

• Revisit your study plan. If you have moved away from the plan – get back on track.
• As assignments are handed in – reallocate that time to prepare for your exam subjects.
• Students have all received your exam timetables – plan backwards from each exam, how much time you will spend preparing. Make sure you spend time preparing for each subject.
• Use the resources around you. There are many opportunities for staff tutoring (tutoring timetable is on the College App), be an active learner. Use this time to get assistance with the aspects of your work that you don’t know.

Most importantly, start now. Just like the Swimming team, attend to the basics – have a plan, work consistently, focus on the next task. Then you will experience success.

Several adjustments to the assessment calendar have been made to account for last week’s events. All changes have been communicated directly to students via SPIRE. Exam timetables for all year levels will be provided to students this week. These are also available via the College App.

Congratulations to Year 10 students Ben Zhang and Max Beckmann on their invitation to attend the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee Selection School. The principal purpose of this school is to extend each student's mathematical problem-solving skills and identify students who may become members of the Australian Maths Olympiad team. This selection is a wonderful recognition of Max and Ben’s hard work, commitment and diligence. We wish them all the best.