Dear Parents and Guardians,
This is a final message from the 3rd year team to clarify a few details in the lead up to the exams.
We, like yourselves, are very proud of all of the 3rd year students and the efforts they have been putting in over the last year. It has been a pleasure for us as a team to have supported them and it has been great to hear wonderful reports from a lot of teachers about how they have been getting on.
Practical Information for the exams:
All students were given a timetable of the exams a few weeks ago. In case this has been misplaced the timetable can also be accessed through the following link:
https://www.firhouseetss.ie/News/State-Examinations--Timetables/198905/Index.html
- It is vital that students arrive on time for their exams – students need to arrive a minimum of 30 prior to scheduled beginning of the exams on the first day and 20 minutes prior to the scheduled beginning of exams thereafter. Please note that entry to the exams is at the discretion of the State Examiner and the school has no influence to support students who arrive late.
- Students should be sure to bring all of the equipment they need for each exams, this includes: multiple working pens, calculator, maths set, etc. Please note that a number of students did not have the appropriate equipment for their Maths checkpoint earlier this year and it is important that this issue does not reoccur. The school does not have calculators or other resources to provide if students forget their own.
- Students should know their exam numbers for the exams.
- Students may bring a clear bottle of water into the exams - no other drinks are permitted.
- Mobile phones and other personal devices, including smart watches are not permitted in exam halls.
Supporting your child:
The exam period can be a stressful time for students. We are confident in their abilities and the work they have completed and know that they have the potential to do well. Over the coming weeks some suggestions for supporting your child are outlined below:
- Support healthy study habits - Students should be studying everyday but also need breaks. Short breaks every 45 minutes - 1 hour are essential.
- Sleeping habits - it is vital that students are getting enough sleep. To support this we suggest a break from study and screens for 1 hour before bed. Teenagers should be getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night and should not be staying up late to study as this will not be effective time.
- Exercise - We recommend that students schedule time for exercise each day during the exams. Exercise benefits our mood and energy as well as our physical health. Engaging with exercise each day will support students with their studies and the stresses they may be feeling.
- Ask about the exams - Talking with adults about the exam experience is important as this can provide a mature perspective for students and support them to manage their emotions around the exams.
- Keeping perspective - Too often students allow the success/struggles of exam periods to define their self-image. As adults we know that each of our students are valuable and wonderful people whether the exams go well or not. It can be important at this time to remind students of this and to let them know that while we want them to do well we will support them no matter what.
We will be discussing the above with students this week also and wish them and yourselves all the best for the exam period and the summer.
Looking forward to meeting you all in person again next year.
The 3rd Year Team
Niall, Eimear, Hannah and Paul.