This past week, in fact since the beginning of May, we have been conducting IGCSE, IBDP and now internal exams and next week we will be doing the MAP tests with Grades 6 - 8.
Testing, assessments, and exams are always a challenge and often stressful situation for all involved. I do, however, want to believe that, when we face challenges like exams, and we approach them with the mindset that it is an opportunity for us to learn, to grow and to develop further, we can change the negative stress and pressure into something that can drive us and motivate us.
When I was younger, my mother always used the phrase “Die Kraft des positiven Denkens” (the power of the positive mind) to encourage me to see uphill challenges as opportunities to grow. I did not pay too much attention to her back then. Today, however, I stand with the same belief. Our mind is a powerful part of our being and we do have quite some control over it. If we approach the challenges we face with confidence and positive determination, it is more likely than not that we will be able to handle stress and challenges in a way that helps us grow and learn.
Coming to the end of this academic year, we all reflect and ponder upon what has gone well and what we would like to improve upon. We all have areas of our daily lives that frustrate us at times and that we want to move away from. Facing our challenges and frustrations helps us become more confident and teaches us life’s lessons. The most powerful way to learn in life is when we face challenges head on and let them guide us to move forward.
I hope that the weeks of exams and rigorous assessments and assignments went well for all our students and that they can approach setbacks and difficult situation with regards to these testing and exams situations in the light these are meant for: to assess what was learnt and how it can be applied in a real world context and how what we’ve learnt can take us to the next stage of our learning.
Maggie Reiff
Secondary Principal
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