Nearly 130 senior students from across Toowoomba Catholic Schools have spent their school holidays preparing for upcoming external exams as part of the External Examination Preparation Program (EEPP). Held at the Micah Centre at the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office, the program offers Year 12 students an intensive six-day workshop to sharpen their skills ahead of exams beginning in October.
Students from Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Warwick, Dalby, and Roma, representing schools like St Mary’s College, St Ursula’s College, St Joseph’s College, and Mary MacKillop Catholic College, participated in the program. The initiative covers nine key subjects: English, General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Study of Religion, and Modern History.
Paul Herbert, EEPP coordinator, said the program is part of the diocese’s commitment to academic excellence. “We’ve assembled a team of expert teachers from our Catholic schools to lead students through six days of intensive preparation across these nine subjects. As a diocese, we are committed to excellence in student achievement, and this program is a testament to this commitment,” Herbert said.
The program focuses on helping students break down exam questions, plan their responses, and better understand what examiners are looking for. Students have the opportunity to sit mock exams and receive both written and verbal feedback, aimed at helping them refine their knowledge and approach to answering questions.
Rachel Williams, a Year 12 student from Mary MacKillop Catholic College, participated in sessions for Mathematical Methods, English, and Study of Religion. She said the program has been a valuable boost ahead of her final assessments.
“EEPP has definitely given me more confidence to undertake my upcoming external exams and helped motivate me to study during the holidays,” she said.
Dr Pat Coughlan, executive director of Toowoomba Catholic Schools, highlighted the value of the program in preparing students for the rigorous demands of external exams. “The External Examination Preparation Program is a wonderful opportunity available to students to help achieve their best results,” Dr Coughlan said.
He also commended the commitment of the students who attended during their holidays: “The fact that so many senior students are giving up their holidays provides testimony to the value of the program.”