From the Deputy Principals – Academic (Acting)
HSC Timetable Released
The HSC Written Examination Timetable has been released and in assembly this week, we spoke to Year 11 and 12 about preparing for the HSC and examinations in Term 3. Why now?
The earlier students start planning for exams which test understanding of a large amount of content, the less stressful they are. The more consistently they review their work, the longer it is retained. Students will often say ‘I need to learn my work at the last minute otherwise I will forget it’ – a strategy that may work for a small amount of information but impossible when preparing for an exam.
In their study skills lesson for this term, Year 11 and 12 were taught to be considerate of their cognitive load, the limited ‘slots’ of working memory and the importance of sleep and retrieval practice in building long term memories. Below is a graph of the Forgetting Curve. It demonstrates that the rate of forgetting something you have studied once is steep but becomes less steep upon repetition. This is the basis of the study strategy called retrieval practice. Research shows that the arrangement of exams in the timetable has little impact on results. All the hard work is done in the lead up to exam periods.
Preparing some flash cards, mind maps or annotated diagrams that they review regularly over the year enables those ideas to be recalled easily during an exam, plus aids in their progress in terms of depth of understanding of the course as a whole. Students who are successful in exams are not only able to recall information but are able to see the connection between concepts and ideas and apply their knowledge.
The Year 12 Trial examinations will take place in Week 3 and 4 of Term 3
(Monday 31 July to Friday 11 August)
Study Camp – Preparation for Trial Examinations
Last year over 170 Pymble students came to our study camp and the feedback from students indicated this was of high impact in their preparation for Trials. The dates for our study camp are below.
Monday 26 June to Friday 30 June (first week of the holidays)
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Book in for help with teachers and/or alumni
- Study in a supervised environment
- Complete 3 hour practice exams in a mock exam room
- Have individual appointments with Mrs Stanfield and Ms Wawryka for study planning and ATAR estimates
Click here to register for Study Camp
Parents and students are encouraged to register early so we can plan for the number and variety of teachers required and catering. Students design how they wish to spend their time during study camp. They can come in and out of study camp to work on major works if they wish.
After Hours Study – Term 2
Free tutoring by our experienced HSC teachers from 4-6pm in the KM atrium continues this term. Students are encouraged to book in on the sign up sheets near the JLT to secure a time in advance.
Paid Supervisors for Year 11 and 12 Examinations
Each year we employ invigilators to supervise examinations. This is a paid role and would suit retired teachers or any interested adult who would be available for the two week examination periods or part thereof. Training and guidance will be provided by our curriculum staff and experienced invigilators. A current working with children check number (WWCC) is required.
If you or any friends or relatives would be interested, please email curriculum@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Examination dates for 2023
Year 12 Trials – Monday 31 July to Friday 11 August
Year 11 Exams – Monday 28 August to Friday 8 September
Natasha Stanfield and Jake Plaskett
Director of Studies 7-12 and Director of Academic Excellence