Your Role in helping your son prepare for K.C.P.E

Help the boy to set realistic goals Set realistic target and plan toward achieving them. What marks do I need in each subject? What subject will boost me? What am I strong in? Which are my weak subjects? What help do I need, books, tuitions? What things must I give up? How do I balance between sports/leisure and academics?

Help in drawing a personal timetable and Study Plan. Must be written and discussed. i) Weekday timetable ii) Weekend timetable iii) Holiday timetable

How is Saturday spent? Recommended wake up early 6 or 7. We recommend at least 6hrs of revision on Saturday. School library is open from 8.30am to 12.30pm.

SAMPLE STUDY PLAN TOPIC SUB-TOPIC 1ST READING 2ND READING 3RD READING HUMAN BODY Teeth 4/1/16 Breathing Sys 6/1/16 Digestive Sys 8/1/16 Reproductive Sys 10/1/16 Physical changes at adolescence 12/1/16 Circulatory sys 14/1/16 Reproduction in human beings Not understood 18/1/16 Excretory sys 16/1/16 HEALTH EDUCATION Meaning and cause of HIV and AIDS 20/1/16

Supervision Ensure timetable is followed efficiently Ensure all homework and assignments are done and done well. If not up to standard, homework can be redone. Parents can communicate with the teacher whenever in doubt. What company does your son keep.

Resources Parent must provide all resources needed Ensure boys arrive at school on time. (7.20am) Textbooks Stationery Exercise books Good environment for study (room without detractors e.g. tv, computers etc)

Check sleeping habits At least 6 hrs of sleep. If the boy can wake up at 5 or 6 and do some work all the better.

Comparison of pupils in boarding and drilling schools to Strathmore boys Supervised hrs in boarding – 16 hrs Supervised hrs in Strathmore – 8hrs + 3hrs = 11hrs 5 days in boarding – 80 hrs 5 days in Strathmore – 55 hrs. Difference of 25hrs

Things the boys should avoid. TV and movies during the week and weekends Use of mobile phone [use parents phone] Social media eg facebook, twitter, whatsApp etc Video Games Frequent outings and family functions Too much time with friends

Watch out for signs of distress Distress may be caused by i) Lack of proper planning leading to one feeling overwhelmed. ii) Setting unrealistic goals iii) Burn out iv) Pressure from outside/others v) Sickness

What else? The parent has to be available at all times or more frequently to offer guidance whenever needed. Parents can do the following to ease stress: Show genuine interest in the son’s studies Be quick to recognise and praise effort and improvement. Give positive criticism and offer hope.

To ease stress Talk about exams in an encouraging manner. Avoid comparisons of siblings. Correct using facts and not opinions. Occasionally arrange for activities that will help the boy relax e.g. lunch and visits he enjoys.

MOST IMPORTANTLY PRAY FOR AND WITH YOUR SON FOR GODS HELP TO PREPARE WELL AND TO PERFORM TO THEIR POTENTIAL.

IMPORTANT EXAMS KCPE trial (Mock) – Aug 1st , 2nd and 3rd SET (Strathmore Entrance Test) – 1st SET August 13th (Math and Aptitude test) K.C.P.E. – Rehearsal – 29th Oct -- Exam days – 30th , 31st & 1st

How to apply to Strathmore Form 1. Obtain an application form from Mr. Ng’ang’a (available from 1stMarch) Complete it , return it and wait for the interviews (Strathmore Entrance Test [SET])