Dear Carroll Community, this fortnight I would like to focus on the preliminary exams, and particularly last-minute examination preparation for our students.

What do you do if you have left your study until the last minute? In an ideal world, it would be great if all students paid attention, focused and participated in all classes, completed all homework and assessments thoroughly, asked for help throughout the year on anything they didn’t understand, made regular summaries of the work covered in class (preferably at the end of each topic or section) and did their best to learn as they go throughout the year. But in reality, this doesn’t always happen for every student and every subject. So what can you do if you have left your study for tests and exams to the last minute?

1. CLARIFY YOUR FOCUS: Before you dive into your study materials, take a moment to identify what topics and concepts will be tested. Reach out to your teachers or classmates if you're unsure about any specifics. Understanding the exam format and question style will guide your study strategy. Create a checklist of subjects and topics you need to cover, ensuring you're not leaving anything out.
2. GATHER MATERIALS: Do you have notes, materials, and textbooks on everything you need to learn? If not, is there a friend who can forward you the resources you have misplaced? Is there an online portal where material from classes is stored? Can you borrow from the library additional books or textbooks on the topics you need to learn? Are past examination papers available?
3. DRAFT A STUDY PLAN: You only have limited time left so you need to make the most of it. Draw up a grid that shows how much time you have left before your exams to study. Decide if you will spend equal time on each subject or if certain subjects need more time. Allocate subjects to the timeslots you have then decide exactly what you will do to prepare for each subject. For each subject list what sort of study you should do to prepare for that subject. Brainstorm your ideas on how to prepare, ask your parents and teachers for feedback, and share ideas with your friends.
4. CREATE STUDY NOTES: Target your notes to what will be tested. It is best for learning and memory to make your study notes yourself, but if you have run out of time there are options. See if any of your class materials or textbooks have summarised the sections you need, see if there are study guides available in the library on the topics to learn, or make targeted notes yourself on the key areas you have to memorise. You could also see if there is a friend where you could split the topics between yourself and share the notes you make. Don’t spend too long on this stage, it needs to be completed as quickly as possible.
5. STUDY! What does study actually mean? It means memorising the material you need to know so you can recall it in the exams, and practising the skills of the subject so you know how to do the types of questions you will have in the exam. To memorise your notes you need to test yourself over and over on them. You could read a section, see what you can write down without looking then check. Then review the things you didn’t know again. Or you could do the same approach reading things out loud and then seeing what you can repeat out loud. Doing questions, practise essays, past exam questions will also help you understand what you know, and what you need to spend more time on.

Remember, the key is to get started. Procrastination won't serve you well at this point. Embrace the challenge, and you'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you're focused and determined. Your ability to absorb and apply information quickly is stronger than you think. Finally, I’m a firm believer that:

EFFORT = SUCCESS!

Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Update

Review Your 2025 Year 11 Pattern of Study

This week, Year 10 students received an email detailing their 2025 Year 11 pattern of study. Attached to this newsletter is the "2025 Year 11 Lines" document which outlines the codes, subjects, and lines.

However, if your selected units do not total 12 or 13 units, you will need to choose an additional subject. Due to the subject selection process and the development of the lines, not all preferences can be accommodated so adjustments may be necessary. Please refer to your pattern of study and the attached document to ensure you have a subject selected for each line.

To make any changes to your pattern of study, you can either email me at andrew.kenneally@cg.catholic.edu.au or visit me in my office during the AM break over the next two weeks.

I look forward to assisting you with the next steps in the subject selection process and wish all our Year 11 students every success during the preliminary exams, and Year 12 students next term for the HSC examinations.

Andrew Kenneally
Assistant Principal Curriculum, Learning and Innovation