As we begin the final term of the school year, it’s natural to look forward—to holidays, rest, and the fun of summer—but it’s also a valuable time to look back. The end of a school year offers a rich opportunity for reflection, celebration, and preparation. In classrooms across the College, teachers and students are not simply winding down—they are setting the stage for growth and success in the year to come.
Educational researcher Dylan Wiliam reminds us that “every teacher needs to improve, not because they are not good enough, but because they can be even better.” The same can be said for our students. This final stretch of the year is a moment for both teachers and learners to pause, reflect on progress, and identify the next steps in their learning journey. Reflection deepens understanding and builds ownership. When students are encouraged to look back at their achievements and challenges, they begin to see learning not as a series of tasks, but as a story they are authoring—one that continues into the new year.
Tom Sherrington, in his work on Teaching Walkthrus, highlights the power of routines and deliberate practice. The habits established in Senior School —organisation, self-reflection, persistence—will carry forward into the new academic year. Similarly, in the Junior School, classroom and learning routines will continue into the new year with new teachers and new classmates. Our teachers are intentional about reinforcing these skills, helping students see that “finishing well” is about more than completing assessments and their final exams; it’s about preparing hearts and minds for what lies ahead. At RHAC, we see this rhythm of reflection and renewal through a biblical lens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” The end of a school year is a season for gratitude—for what has been learned, for the people who have shaped us, and for God’s faithfulness through it all. It’s also a time to trust that the seeds planted this year will grow in the months ahead.
As families, you can reinforce the value of learning by asking reflective questions at home. These might include:
- What was something new you learned about yourself this year?
- What challenged you, and how did you grow through it?
- What are you looking forward to learning next year?
These conversations help children connect their experiences, celebrate growth, and enter the next year with confidence and purpose.
So as we look towards finishing this school year, let’s encourage our students—and one another—to finish well, reflect deeply, and look forward with hope. God is at work in every season, shaping us for the good work He has prepared ahead.
