As I write this, I’m sitting with a group of Year 12 students who have chosen to complete their HSC study at College. They’re focused, motivated and some have proudly shared that they’re studying for up to 8–10 hours a day. It’s inspiring to see their commitment and drive.
At the same time, I’m working on pages for our upcoming Senior School Passport—a practical guide we’ll share with Year 6 students during their Senior School orientation. It includes tips on timetabling, creating an ideal study environment, developing a growth mindset and setting meaningful goals.
Why start so early? Because good beginnings lead to strong endings. Students don’t become great learners overnight or in their final year. Success in Year 12 is built on years of developing strong habits, discipline and learning skills.
So, where is your child on this journey? Are they building the foundations for success in Senior School? What small changes could help them grow and how can you support them along the way?
Here are a few practical ideas to consider:
- - Create a distraction-free study space that’s quiet, comfortable and well-organised.
- - Go shopping together for inspiring stationery or study tools to boost motivation.
- - Help them build a realistic study timetable and gently hold them accountable.
- - Encourage a ‘no device’ zone for a couple of hours each day to support focus.
- - Talk about upcoming assignments or assessments and make sure they’re on a calendar.
- - Offer small rewards or incentives to keep them motivated and on track.
- - Help them turn feedback and results into goals they can work towards.
We’re here to support you in this journey. It truly takes a village to raise a confident, capable learner. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like advice or support, we’re in this together.
