Dear HNHS families
It is hard to believe that there are only nine school weeks left before our senior students start their final NCEA examinations. While most students still have a few internal assessments to complete, the focus needs to shift to external examinations at this stage of the year. The Benchmark Examinations happening this week signal that shift in focus and I trust that students have put aside plenty of time over the weekend to revise.
BENCHMARK EXAMINATIONS
The Benchmark examinations serve three main purposes. First and foremost, they are a chance for our students to practise examination technique and to demonstrate their ability to apply the content they have learned throughout the year. Secondly, the examinations will form the basis of a derived grade should this be required. Each year, a handful of students are unable to sit the final examinations and in this situation the grade they receive is based on the result of the Benchmark examination. Reasons for seeking a derived grade range from significant health issues to family emergencies.
The third purpose of the Benchmark examinations is to inform departments as to whether students have met the prerequisites for future study. We will ask our Year 11 and 12 students to select their 2027 course by the end of week 8 this term (Friday, 11th September). During week 9, students will meet with their House Tutor to check they have met the prerequisites and to ensure that the course they have chosen is well-considered with respect to their plans for the future.
I have attached the Benchmark Examination timetable to this email and would suggest that families spend some time discussing the schedule and helping students to follow a revision plan throughout the week. Students are granted study leave if they don't have an examination and are not required to be at school.
The adage that ‘you get out what you put in’ is particularly appropriate with examinations. Students who do well have invested time into preparation and those that don’t, haven’t.
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