Year 11
Key Dates
- 25 August Wear it Purple Day
- 28 August – 7 September Yr 11 HSC and IB Examinations
- 8 September Yr 11 Camp Briefing
- 12 September R U OK? Day
- 21 September Yr 11 Industry Day
- 22 September End of Term 3
- 9 October Term 4 Begins
- 9-13 October Yr 11 Camp
Yr 11 Examination Block 28 August – 7 September
Examination Letter and HSC and IB Examination Timetables can be found here.
HSC Students
Yr 11 HSC students met with Mrs Benjamin last week to hear some vital exam information and to learn more about their Yr 12 subject electives. Students were told of the importance of being on time to exams, the full school uniform requirement (no sport kit, even on a Thursday) key equipment information (including what they cannot bring in with them) and what to do if you are sick or cannot attend an exam. Students were also informed of the process for deciding upon Year 12 subjects and what is on offer to pick up in Term 4. The slides can be viewed on the HSC Assessment Information Pulse page, under General Information here.
Students have been sent the slides through their HSC Core page on iLearn; if your child missed the meeting, they should ensure they have read through the presentation and arrange to speak with Mrs Benjamin if they have any questions.
IB Students
Year 11 IB students met with Mr Taylor last week during CORE to run through all examination expectations. Students were told of the importance of being on time to examinations, the full school uniform requirement (no sport kit, even on a Thursday) key equipment information (including what they cannot bring in with them) and what to do if you are sick or cannot attend an examination.
If students have any further questions, they should reach out to Mr Taylor directly.
Examination Block Sport and Extra-Curricular Commitments
Throughout the next two weeks, students will still have Sport practice and/or trials as well as some extra-curricular commitments. As the Yr 11 Examination Block is the first priority for students over these next two weeks, for any Sport or Extra-Curricular commitment that may impact an examination time, the student should reach out to their coach or supervising teacher directly to communicate the conflict and be excused from this commitment. Students have been encouraged to check through their commitments and plan ahead to make these next two weeks as smooth as possible.
Counselling Space iLearn Page
The Counselling Space iLearn Page is a fantastic resource for both students and parents. Our counselling team has included support for parents, students, study tips, focus and self-calming strategies during high stress periods.
For any students who are finding it challenging to manage their feelings of anxiousness or stress as they prepare for examinations, please share the guidance below. These strategies can be incorporated in less than one minute to self-regulate when feeling anxious before/during examinations and they can help re-focus when feeling overwhelmed or not knowing where to start.
10 Ways to Manage Stress
Listen to some chill music
Pleasing music has been shown to lower cortisol production – a stress hormone.
Open up and express how you feel
Don’t bottle things up! Talk to someone you trust or write it down
Get more sleep
Everything feels worse when you’re tired.
“A challenge, not an obstacle”
Try thinking of your stressor this way. Research shows that mindset matters.
Move your body
Get some exercise, it releases endorphins to help you feel good.
Declutter
Is your room messy? Start tidying one corner of your room.
Check your diet
Are you having too much sugar? Or coffee?
Learn how to say “no”
Take it easy with the people pleasing and taking too much on.
Cull the drainers
Say bye to people who repeatedly influence you negatively.
Deep breaths in and out of the nose.
This activates the relaxation response.
During Exams, 1-Minute Body Re-set
Stress creates tension in the body. Try this mindfulness exercise out to release it. Take your time. You can do this with your eyes closed once you know each step. Firstly, sit up straight on your chair and let go of anything that you’re holding onto.
1. Take 3 deep breaths – this turns on the relaxation response.
2. Soften your gaze and loosen your jaw.
3. Let your shoulders drop.
4. Take your left ear to your left shoulder and feel the stretch – count to 5.
5. Take your right ear to your right shoulder and feel the neck loosening – count to 5.
6. Fold your arms and close yourself into a ball, taking the chin to chest.
7. Open your arms out wide, pull your shoulders back and lift your chin slightly.
8. Repeat 6 & 7.
9. Take 3 deep breaths with the eyes closed.
Try this at your desk when you’re feeling tense or stuck in your head – it will help bring you back into your body. This can be done as many times as you need during the day.
Wear It Purple Day
Tomorrow, Redlands will have a splash of PURPLE to support Wear It Purple Day! Students can donate to the cause and pick up a ribbon at the gate. For more information, see the link.
Ms Alissa Ynson
Yr 11 Advisor
aynson@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9865