Thursday 16 October 2025
We have appreciated a strong start to the term – especially as this term is a very important academic time.
Our Senior students are either in well into their examination schedules or about to start in the coming weeks. Either way this is the time of year that they will be feeling the pressure. How students react to this pressure depends on their personality or genealogy. Some will procrastinate and do that extremely well with the expected outcomes, while others will be so well organised they sometimes need to be reminded of keeping a bit of life balance! Many will sit in between these two extremes.
Whatever your student’s response or approach it can be a tense time for teenagers, and their families.
The analogy of a marathon, as opposed to a sprint, is often one I use for students as they not only need to understand the sense of duration but also the need to be well prepared. Examinations happen over a long time, especially the Cambridge International Exams. Good preparation enables students to enter the exams confident of what they’ve learned and, in turn, puts the brain in the right frame for them to perform well in a time of pressure. I was reminded of this in recent week as my eldest has just completed a marathon in Spain. His preparation put him in the best place to perform well, which he did. The key aspect of being prepared is having a plan.
Students sometimes need help when it comes to planning as examinations can be daunting. Planning should include having a place to study which is theirs, having a stable routine and having a wall chart which outlines dates for when the exams are with each preparation highlighted. Studying a subject can be an impossible task when sitting down to study, so the plan should include topics which are achievable for each 50-minute session. Knowing that the brain works best in the morning and in the late afternoon/early evening, is key.
I have often spoken with students about these notions as the year has progressed and those students who have attended study sessions will be familiar with these concepts as well. Sometimes focusing on the simple things and assisting students with the pragmatics of study can be enough to get them started if they’re having trouble.
I wish you well during these testing times. Do remember that the College and each and every staff member is available to assist your son or daughter, even when students are away on study leave. We are more than happy to help and support students who may have any concerns or difficulties. Please don’t hesitate to contact the College if you or your children need any help. We’re ready and available to help you all through the marathon.
I look forward to seeing you at the various events this term including our upcoming prizegiving events and the Graduation Dinner for our Year 13 leavers. These dates, and others, are highlighted in this newsletter.
See you then and there.
Simon Lamb
Headmaster