Students Gear Up for Cambridge Exams at This Year’s Candidates Retreat
As the Cambridge Secondary Checkpoint, IGCSE, and A-Level examinations draw near, our school once again hosted its annual Candidates Retreat, a reflective and empowering event designed to prepare our students emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for the important weeks ahead. Held under the theme “Faith Over Fear: Trusting God for Success” inspired by Philippians 4:6-7, the retreat created a much-needed space for students to regroup, refocus, and renew their mindset ahead of their exams.
The retreat, which complements the intensive preparatory classes offered to examination candidates, is one of the most impactful moments in the academic calendar. It offers students a chance to step away from their books and reflect on their goals, fears, and motivations in a supportive, uplifting environment.
This year, we were privileged to host two dynamic facilitators, Mrs. Letitia Ohene-Effah, a Transformational Leadership Strategist and Co-Founder of LeadAfrique International, and Mr. Mike Ohene-Effah, an Empowerment Specialist, Development Consultant, and Author. Both speakers brought a refreshing perspective to the session, offering a combination of motivational insight and practical tools for academic success.
One of the highlights of the retreat was the Action Map Framework presented by the Ohene-Effahs. This simple yet powerful tool encourages students to outline the steps necessary to achieve their goals. By asking key questions such as, “What actions must I take to reach my goal?” “How much time do I have?” “How much time can I commit?” and “Can I create additional time by changing certain habits?” students are guided to develop actionable plans and take control of their progress.
To bring the message home in a fun and memorable way, each student was given a rubber band, a symbolic “confidence pill.” Mrs Ohene-Effah encouraged students to snap the band gently whenever self-doubt crept in and boldly declare affirmations such as:
“I am SMART. I am TALENTED. I am CAPABLE. I am ENOUGH. I am a WINNER. I am POWERFUL. I am UNSTOPPABLE. I am more than ENOUGH.”
Beyond the motivational talks, students also received practical study tips, words of encouragement, and a time of prayer to center themselves for the journey ahead. These moments served not only to calm nerves but to build a sense of unity, hope, and purpose among candidates.
As a school, we believe in preparing our students holistically. The Candidates Retreat is not just about academic readiness, it’s about instilling the confidence, resilience, and peace of mind they need to face any challenge. We also thank the parents who joined us during this special event; your presence and support go a long way in boosting our students’ morale.
We wish all our candidates the very best as they prepare to sit for their external examinations, and we remain confident that, with faith over fear, success is within reach.
