Launching into the Final Stretch

25th April 2026

DHA 25/04/2026

Launching into the Final Stretch

Next week marks a significant milestone on our academic calendar. Whether your child is just starting a new chapter or preparing to close a major one, there is a palpable sense of purpose across the campus.

Milestones Across the Year Groups

Year 9: Our students officially begin their IGCSE journey! This is a thrilling first step toward their academic futures, and we are already seeing them embrace their chosen subjects with curiosity.
Years 10 & 12: The bar has been raised. These students are stepping into a period of increased rigor as they dive into new topics and prepare for end-of-year assessments and, for our new Student Senators, transition into vital leadership roles.
Years 11 & 13: The finish line is in sight. The full exam season begins next week, and we are standing right behind them as they prepare to showcase years of hard work.

New Week, New Rhythm

As we transition to a new timetable next week, we encourage families to embrace this shift with a positive "reset" mindset. Now is the perfect time to:

Readjust study timetables to match the new daily flow.
Refine evening routines to ensure a healthy balance of rest and revision.
Focus on steady, incremental progress rather than "the big mountain."

Expert Tip: Beating the "Forgetting Curve"

For our Year 9s starting new courses, consistency is the secret sauce. Science tells us about the Forgetting Curve - the idea that we naturally lose information over time unless we actively review it.

We often think of memory as a container, but it’s more like a leaky bucket. Science shows us that within 24 hours of a lesson, we can forget up to 80% of what we learned. The good news? We can "stop the leak" with just 10 - 15 minutes of daily maintenance per subject.

Mastery isn’t built by just glancing at a textbook. To truly move information from short-term memory into long-term brilliance, students should use Active Review:

The "Blank Page" Retrievall: Instead of re-reading notes, have your child spend 5 minutes scribbling down everything they remember from today's Biology or History lesson on a blank sheet.
The "Teach Back" Method: Ask them to explain one core concept to you over dinner. If they can teach it, they’ve mastered it!
Identify the Gaps: Only after they try to remember it themselves should they open their books to see what they missed. This "effortful' retrieval" signals to the brain that the information is important and needs to be saved.

By making these small, daily deposits into their "knowledge bank," students avoid the stress of "cramming" and enter their assessments with genuine confidence.

Top Tip for Years 10 & 12: Break study sessions into 25-minute focused blocks (the Pomodoro technique) and set one achievable goal per session. Consistency beats intensity every time.

Partnering for Success

We believe deeply in your children’s potential and are constantly inspired by their resilience. Thank you for your unwavering support as we navigate this exciting, high-energy chapter together.

Let’s finish the academic year strong!

Noela Gichuru

Deputy Headteacher – Academic