Our Grade 7s worked hard last week selling yummy, fun and different products as part of their entrepreneurial week. Thank you to Mrs Purdon for organizing this exciting business event as part of the Grade 7 Economic and Management Science (EMS) syllabus, and to all staff and pupils who supported them- despite some rainy and gloomy days.. The Grade 7s have certainly learnt many business skills over the duration of the project. Who knows- we may be developing a future business entrepreneur, or leader?
We trust you enjoyed the Primary School mid-term break and are all relaxed and reinvigorated for the last lap of 2016! Every year at this time, we become aware of the general escalation of stress levels in our society, community, staff and pupils. Everyone has deadlines to meet and the holidays are looming not too far away. Let’s try where possible not to “sweat the small stuff” and to try to remember that each and every one of us is trying to do his or her best, while endeavouring to complete all that is required before the closure of the school year, and to plan for the start of the new year.
A special appeal to you all to ensure that your child’s uniform, hairstyle ( especially regulation boys’ cut) and accessories ( watch, girl’s ear-rings etc.) stays compliant with our code of conduct as we draw to the close of the term with the compulsory Sports and
Cultural award ceremony (2/12) and Speech night prize giving (6/12) still coming up.
Best wishes to our Grade7s for their exams which started today, with their shared assessment in Afrikaans or isiZulu. From next week Thursday when exams start in earnest, children may go home after the last exam on each day, or you may fetch them at the normal close of the school day from the McKenzie Centre.
EXAM STRESS: TIPS/ HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD?
Many parents have once again asked for tips on helping their children to cope during exam time.
Some of the tips provided by educators, counsellors and parents include being supportive and helping children to identify ways of reducing stress by encouraging them to:
a. Eat nutritious meals.
· A good breakfast is key.
· Avoid junk foods that raise blood sugar temporarily.
· Eat a fruit or other healthy snack ahead of studying. (It’s hard to study if hungry)
· Drink plenty of water.
b. Get a good night’s sleep. Get up and go to bed at approximately the same time every night. Have some quiet ‘own’ time before bed (listen to music, have a bath with mind-calming aromatherapy oils, read a book). Avoid last minute all-night study sessions.
c. Have a quiet place to study, away from noisy family members. Hang a ‘do not disturb’ sign if necessary.
d. Switch off cell phones (or remove them) and computers whilst studying, to ensure no interruptions or distractions.
e. If listening to music, select classical and calm instead of fast rhythm and lyrics.
f. Be organised and manage time by having a study guide with allocated time for learning for each exam.
g. Highlight text in colour or draw funny shapes/mind maps next to important points, to help recall.
h.Read notes, re-read and read again.
i.Get some exercise every day, even if it’s only a 20-minute jog or brisk walk.
j.Take regular short breaks e.g. 10 minutes every hour of studying. Ideally do something physical (walk around the garden, play with the dog, skip etc).
k. Avoid having a ‘post mortem’ after the exam. You can’t go back and change your answers so don’t stress about it – just focus all your energy on the next one.
Best wishes to you all for the week ahead.
Barbara Taljard
Primary School: Headmistress
btaljard@thomasmore.co.za
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