Primary Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE: •
News from the Classroom
•
Birthdays
•
Student Achievements
Dear Parents and Caregivers, It was good to see the collective focus and hard work which characterised this week, as the Year 4-6 students wrote their end of year examinations. There were no signs of nerves but rather confident chatter before the exams and then a calm resolution to do their very best, as they settled at their desks. Those I spoke to about the exams all responded with enthusiasm about how they had done, and I have no doubt that their hard work will be rewarded next week when they receive their papers to check. While much of the focus might be on the marks which they receive, just as important is to reflect on what went well and what can still be improved upon in future exams. Long after much of the content which has been covered this year has faded, we hope that the exam writing skills will be remembered. As we all know from personal experience, learning how best to study and then how to write the exams is a process which continues throughout our schooling – and as such we hope that the foundations are being firmly laid in the Primary School. We also know that education is only one part of each child’s daily routine, and that finding a balance between schoolwork, sporting and cultural activities, leisure time, and rest, is critical. A recent study among 11- and 12-year-olds in Australia looked at exactly this, as it set out to find out what the sweet spot is as far as the amount of time spent studying each day – or, as they put it, the Goldilocks “just right amount” of study. They concluded that “Just like we talk about the benefits of a balanced diet, we should start talking about the benefits of balanced time use. The better equipped young people and those supporting them are to find their optimal daily balance of sleep, sedentary behaviours and physical activities, the better their learning The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 27 Issue 35 Friday 19th November 2021
Page 1