January 2016 - In This Issue of the Durham Catholic School Board's Celebrating Student Success Newsletter:
Tips for Dealing With Exam Stress

It's normal to experience stress during exam time. While too much stress can make you feel overwhelmed, stress can also be positive when it motivates you to study. Stress can show itself in many ways. Some of the common signs are heart pounding, stomach aches, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite or overeating. Here are some tips to help you cope with the stress of exams:

  1. Start studying early - Don't wait until the night before the exam to take out your books. Try to read over your notes after each class to make sure you understand them. Put the notes in your own words.
     
  2.  Have a plan to manage your time - Plan your study time ahead so you'll feel confident for the exam. Cramming all night usually doesn't work. Find a place to study where you can concentrate without distractions. Make sure you build short, regular breaks into your study time. Have a snack, or go for a brisk walk.
     

      3. Look after your physical health - Studies show that exercise, healthy eating and
          getting enough sleep can all improve performance on exams. So move your body  
          and resist the temptation to eat junk food, as eating healthy will actually make you
          feel better. Also, get enough sleep, as good sleep helps you remember what you

          earned.

 

      4. Practice, practice, practice - Ask your teacher for a practice test. If there isn't one, 
          make your own. Answer the questions with friends and grade each other's work. 
          Study so you understand the material and not just to memorize it.


      5. Use relaxation techniques - When a stressful thought pops into your head, replace
           it with a positive or realistic one; for example, replace "I'm going to fail this exam"    
           with "I" know I can do this." Practice deep breathing, i.e., breathing from deep
           within your abdomen and not just your chest. This will get more air into your lungs
           and will help you relax.

      6. Visualize success - Imagining success can be a powerful technique. Think of
          yourself writing the exam and knowing the answers. Visualize a good grade on the
          paper after writing the exam. When you imagine yourself being successful, you're
          more likely to succeed.

       7. Talk to someone - Talk to a parent, teacher, school counsellor, friend or someone
           else that you trust. They will help you put things in perspective. Kids Help Phone
           can also help with this (1-800-668-6868).
 
       8. Taking the exam - Scan each page of the exam before starting. Read the
           instructions carefully. Do the questions you can answer first to make sure you get
           the marks for them. Pace yourself. Stay until the end of the exam in case you
           remember an answer. Go back, review your answers, and remember the relaxation
           techniques you learned. Breathe!

        9. Reward yourself for your hard work - After the exam, do something special for
            yourself, or something you enjoy: take a relaxing walk; go to a movie; spend time
            with a friend; buy yourself a present; exercise; take a luxurious bath with candle
            and soft music. Try to let the stress of the exam go, especially if you have more
            exams over the next few days.
 

Parish and Community Connections  

Beautiful Mass at Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School
 
Staff and students of Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School warmly welcomed Father Dave Norris (S.J.) on December 17, 2015 to celebrate the school's last Mass of 2015. Father Dave Norris helped inspire the Dwyer community with his positive Christmas message of hope, joy and peace. The concert band, conducted by Mr. Horniachek, played uplifting Christmas hymns and showcased the musical talents and creativity of Paul Dwyer students.

 
 Above: Photos from Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School's last school Mass for 2015.
 
 
Experiential Learning

St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Student reflects on his Cooperative Education Experience

When reflecting on Ontario Skills Passport essential skills and work habits I am developing
Above: Isaac Guay at his Cooperative Education Placement.
at my placement, reading text, document use, oral communication, job task planning and organizing, problem solving, working safely, and teamwork stand out. At Formula Ford I do not have to read a lot of text, but I have to remember a lot of text. I have to remember work order numbers and bring them to parts, usually getting oil filters and air filters. I also have to remember tire numbers and go and find them in the room downstairs or upstairs then bring them to the auto technicians. This helps me in my part-time job as a swimming instructor because I also have to remember ages and names and compose a lot of report cards. I have to go with an apprentice and track all of the tires that we have, I have to say the number that is on them and I also have to say the name of the person who owns the tires. The technician writes this down in a book, while I am reading them off to him.

When reflecting on Ontario Skills Passport essential skills and work habits I am developing at my placement, reading text, document use, oral communication, job task planning and organizing, problem solving, working safely, and teamwork stand out. At Formula Ford I do not have to read a lot of text, but I have to remember a lot of text. I have to remember work order numbers and bring them to parts, usually getting oil filters and air filters. I also have to remember tire numbers and go and find them in the room downstairs or upstairs then bring them to the auto technicians. This helps me in my part-time job as a swimming instructor because I also have to remember ages and names and compose a lot of report cards. I have to go with an apprentice and track all of the tires that we have, I have to say the number that is on them and I also have to say the name of the person who owns the tires. The technician writes this down in a book, while I am reading them off to him.

At co-op I work safely by wearing eye protection and safety boots. This protects me from things that might hurt me like something in my eye or something falling on my foot. I use teamwork at co-op whenever someone needs help doing anything. I help automotive service technicians move tires, I balance the tires for them when they want me to, and I also help them with getting oil and getting anything from parts. I can also use this for out of school whenever my parents need help and I can help them rake the leaves or clean the house.
Written by: Isaac Guay
St. Mary Catholic Secondary School Student 
 

 
Guest Chef at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School
  
Above: Students make festive treats with Chef Karen Theuisseen.

The Hospitality and Tourism Specialist High Skills Major at Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School recently created some festive treats. Chef Karen Theunissen, owner of Naturally Catering, taught the students the secrets to successful baking as they made chewy gingerbread cookies and molten chocolate cakes.

 

Exploring Pathways

Introduction to Career Cruising Parent Workshop at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School
 
On Wednesday, November 18, teachers from the Guidance and Cooperative Education department at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School hosted an Introduction to Career Cruising Parent Workshop. The workshop introduced parents and guardians to Career Cruising - how to register, complete high school course selection, and explore post-secondary pathways. Close to 50 parents and guardians were in attendance for the evening workshop.
St. Mary School Council graciously set up a refreshment table, with coffee and desserts. Feedback from the parents in attendance was very positive as many felt empowered by the information presented at a workshop. Parents also took home a "Guide to Career Cruising", enabling them to explore the program at home and encourage pathway thinking. Additional information about Pathway Planning is available on the St. Mary Guidance website.
 
   
Student Achievement

All Saints' Student Artist Awarded
  
Congratulations to All Saints Catholic Secondary School student, Noelle Mahoney who
Above: Noelle Mahoney with her Still Life Drawing "The Stranger in the Room".
received second prize in the Youth Category at the Whitby Station Gallery's annual exhibition in December, for her Still Life Drawing entitled "The Stranger in the Room".  Her work will be on display until January 10, 2016.

 



Aspiring Writer from Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School recognized in Canadian Anthology
 
Above: Megan George, Grade 11 Student from Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School.
Congratulations to Monsignor John Pereyma Catholic Secondary School student Megan George for being a published author! The Grade 11 student's short story "Sacrifice" was chosen in a national contest from thousands of entries.
Her dystopian tale of a tortured government assassin appears in the anthology Wherever We Roam with many established and emerging authors. Megan hopes her passion for writing will turn into a career.
"I was so excited when I got the letter that said I came 40th out of 3000 entries from across Canada. My dream is to be a novelist," said Megan George. The short story collection is published by Polar Expressions Publishing and is available through their website.
 

At the Durham Catholic District School Board, we believe that all students can be successful, that success comes in many forms, and that there are many pathways to success. If you have a story idea for an upcoming newsletter, please email your story for consideration to student.success@dcdsb.ca.

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