The Effects of CCA Participation during Examination Stand-down Period on Examination Results – A School Cross-country Team Experience

備考與考試期間仍舊繼續參與課外活動對考試成績的影響—以一支中學校際越野賽跑隊的經歷為例

Abstract

It is a common practice in schools in Singapore to implement CCA stand-down period of about four weeks prior to the examination to allow students to focus on their revision. This study attempted to investigate the effects of a school sports team’s participation in CCA training during the stand-down period on their exams results. A school cross country team where the author taught was selected for the study. It was found that students who continued to train three times a week for four weeks prior to the examinations did not perform any worse in their examination results. Instead students in the team who opted to stand-down, like the rest of the school population, actually performed worse. The athletes who were training were very focused as they felt that time was a premium. They also started work in advance and adopted a more consistent approach to their work. Having training also made these students rest better and gave them a break to recharge and freshen up. Overall, having a goal helps them stay energised and focused. With the necessary guidance and facilitation, juggling CCA and examination can be a valuable learning opportunity for students, making them the holistic students that the CCA programme aims to achieve.