Mrs Rodelle Govender, Academic HOD for 5th form, spoke to the boys with inspiring words ahead of their important exams.
Good morning 5th Form,
I would like to begin this assembly with a little story…
Thabo was a bright Grade 11 student with big dreams of becoming a doctor. With exams approaching, he promised himself he would study every evening. But, as the weeks went by, Netflix, social media, and late-night chats with friends took over. ‘I’ll catch up tomorrow,’ he kept saying. His friend, Siya, also had dreams – he wanted a scholarship for university. Every day after school, Siya followed a rigorous but doable study schedule. Even when he was tired or tempted to relax, he focused on his dream and did the work. He turned off his phone, reviewed his notes, and did past papers on weekends.
When the results came, Thabo stared at his report… his marks had dropped! He felt a mix of regret and disappointment. Siya, on the other hand, had improved in every subject. He smiled, not because it was easy, but because his hard work had paid off. Thabo congratulated his friend. ‘How did you stay so focused?’, he asked. Siya replied, ‘I reminded myself every day why I started. Dreams don’t work unless you do.’
That night, Thabo made a new plan – not just for the next exams, but for his future. He wanted to see his dreams come to life. Self-discipline and commitment may be hard now, but they are the bricks that build the future you dream of.
Here are a few important points to note as you prepare for these important exams.
- Set up a study timetable and stick to it.
Avoid unnecessary distractions – put the phones and games away! Do not procrastinate and do what you need to do to make your dreams work. Do as many past papers as you can, to expose yourself to the questioning styles used in the different subjects.
- Focus in the classroom.
Ensure that you use every minute of the lesson to your benefit. Do not encourage disruptive classmates. Keep the lines of communication open with teachers. Ask questions and engage on MS Teams.
- Be organised.
Have all the scopes on hand so that you can structure your learning programme. Print a copy of your Exam timetable and share this information with your parents or at home. This will ensure that you arrive to school on time and are well-prepared for your papers.
- Take care of your physical and mental health. This is a crucial time in your school career, and you need to be alert and healthy. Do not fuel your body with junk; instead drink lots of water and eat the right foods. Avoid toxic situations and nurture your mind like the treasure that it is.
- Be realistic about your capabilities and use this exam as a gauge to determine where your strengths and weaknesses lie. If you fail Core Mathematics this June then you need to seriously consider changing to Mathematical Literacy; however, if you want to continue with Mathematics then set yourself a target to do well. But, do the work to meet the goal.
- Finally, exercise discipline in all that you do. As you are disciplined in the sports field, be disciplined in all areas of your life. Even though it is the examination period, the rules and expectations pertaining to the uniform, your hair and shaving still apply.
From today, have a SMART attitude – SIMPLE MEANINGFUL ACTIONS RESULTING in TRUIMPH!
Let us conclude this assembly with a short prayer in preparation for the upcoming exams.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Grant me calm in my heart,
Clarity in my mind,
And courage in my spirit.
Help me to use my time wisely,
And to study with purpose and focus.
Bless my efforts and guide my thoughts,
So that I may do my best
And honour You in all I do.
Amen.
Mrs R Govender
Academic HoD: 5th form