J ANU ARY 20 1 3
T H E S E C O N D A RY N E W S L E T T E R Secondar y News from the Pupils and Teachers of King’s College, Alicante
Exam Time!
Head of Secondary Message January is always a great time in school. Everybody returns from the much needed Christmas break with renewed vigour, full of resolutions and excited by a new year. A happy, productive buzz permeates each classroom and everybody is focused on making a success of the term ahead. This January has been no exception and we have already squeezed a huge amount into the three short weeks we have been back. All pupils have settled into positive work patterns and it has been very pleasing to see them happy and participative in lessons. The buzz I talk about has been particularly noticeable with our Year 12 and 13 students, who have come back to the unenviable prospect of examinations to start their term. Many Year 13 pupils sat A level units in January and these exams, which all count towards their final qualifications, have required a lot of preparation and revision over the holiday period. I wish them the best of luck when the results are released in March and hope their hard work is rewarded. Year 12 have also been busy studying and revising as we launched our first Year 12 mock session this week. Mock exams are an important opportunity for pupils to take tests under controlled conditions and for staff to see how students cope with the pressure of a formal environment. I hope the preparation and study pays off when the results are available in Febru-
ary and that the feedback offered by teachers allows our Sixth Formers to focus their efforts in the crucial weeks ahead.
I look forward to seeing everybody supporting their houses at the various events that will be happening between now and April.
As I talk about exams it is incredible to think about the number of external exams that we now host at King’s College, Alicante. With almost 2000 entries each year, everybody is to be congratulated on how smoothly each of the sessions run. Pupils and staff have to work together to follow the strict regulations set by the exam boards and to be in the right place at the right time – none of which is easy when there are so many people involved! The examinations system would collapse however, without the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. I would particularly like to thank Mrs. Laidlaw and Mr. Roberts who work relentlessly, often unnoticed, to make the examinations system work so seamlessly – without their efforts and the support of Sra. Estrada and the maintenance team, exam sessions would be a much more stressful time for all involved.
Returning to my opening thoughts, I do hope the promises we all made ourselves at the beginning of the year are not distant memories quite yet. Resolutions are a traditional New Year pastime and are a very good way of focusing on what is important to us, and those aspects of our lives that we would most like to change; but there is no need to limit this activity to the first week of January. I encourage our pupils to take control of their own destinies by making positive changes that will shape their futures. This often involves making those resolutions, regardless of the month and, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, I encourage our students to bear in mind that “your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other you may make”. I wish everyone a successful term 2.
It’s not all been about exams and revision however! Ms. Castro, Mrs. McHugh, Mr. Nutter and the House Committee have been busy organizing a variety of events for Term 2; from spelling bees to art competitions, swimming galas to inter-school football and debating events, there are a myriad of activities planned for pupils to get involved with this term, and win house points for their respective houses along the way.
Simon Wicks Head of Secondary School Pag e 1