Year 8
2021 Australian Mathematics Competition Results (AMC)
On Wednesday 4th August, 138 Redlands students sat the Australian Mathematics Competition remotely. The results have been finalised and the Mathematics Department would like to congratulate everyone for participating. Redlands was again fortunate to receive 4 High Distinctions and 29 Distinctions.
Congratulations to all participants in this international competition involving hundreds of thousands of students from around 30 countries throughout the Pacific and South-East Asia. The Competition tests everything from basic numeracy skills through to advanced problem solving. This year we would like to particularly acknowledge the following wonderful student achievements:
- Hugo Baird – High Distinction
- Jesse Forrest – High Distinction
- Daniel Borness – Distinction
- Piper Bradley – Distinction
- Rebecca Frantz – Distinction
- Krishna Gupta – Distinction
- Annabelle Hwang – Distinction
- Jessica Lee – Distinction
- Liam Petersen – Distinction
- Sophie Yu – Distinction
- Emma Wong – Distinction
A special mention goes to Hugo Baird who received the ‘Best in School Award’ prize.
Assessment Block – Modification
- Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 October – return to the Senior Campus for Connection and Confidence Days
- Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 October – remain at home for scheduled online Assessment Block
Online Assessments
Useful Study Tools
Below are some useful study tools which students reviewed and explored during Tutor Time.
- Quizlet: Make your own flashcards online using Quizlet .
- Mindmap: Make your mind maps online.
- BBC Brain Smart: Need a quick study break? Why not stay productive and wake up your brain by playing a game from BBC Brain Smart . There are fun games to help you boost your memory, remember chains of numbers, get motivated and manage stress. And all without feeling like you are doing any real work (we promise)…
- Flora: Are you finding that you’re struggling to focus on studying from home? Can’t help but dive into the ultimate distraction: picking up your phone? It sounds like you need a little Flora in your life. Flora is a free app that helps you to manage your screen time via a virtual garden
- Mindfulness: Smiling Mind (Links to an external site.)is a mindfulness meditation app which has programs to help you manage your stress, anxiety and depression
Break times, Balance and Relaxation
Taking regular breaks, exercising, making time for friends and doing the things students love are useful ways for Yr 8 to maintain motivation and manage exam stress. These activities help you clear their mind allow students to return to their study feeling relaxed and refreshed.
5 Steps to Study Success:
Return to On-Campus Learning – Monday 25 October
COVID-19 has required everyone to make changes: how we live, how we socialise, how we learn.
Everyone has a learning-from-home story and, while there are similarities, our own story is unique.
Some students found it hard, others may have been worried about how it will affect their progress and there have been others who have enjoyed it. Whatever your experience, know that it’s normal to experience a wide range of emotions and for these emotions to have changed from one week to the next. As we get ready to return to On-Campus Learning it is important to think about strategies that will help to prepare for your return, manage any worries you might have and re-focus your thinking.
Getting ready
- Be kind to yourself. Give yourself the same advice that you’d give to a good friend.
- Life has been quite different, so give yourself time to adjust back into routine. Be realistic in your thinking about how long it might take.
- Be realistic and flexible. Talk with your teachers about your work, both the strengths and the challenges. Your teachers are there to help you.
- Get organised before the day. Try on your school uniform and shoes before the first day back. You may have had a growth spurt and need to organise getting new gear!
- Check your timetable to know what lessons you’ll be having and prepare the equipment you might need. If you’re unsure ask your teacher or someone in your class. Pack your school bag the day before, including a face mask and hand sanitiser. If you don’t have hand sanitiser or a mask don’t stress, your school can give this to you.
- Try to reconnect with a friend before the first day back and arrange a time and place to meet on your return.
- Some things are out of our control and it can be tiring worrying about these things. Try and focus on the things you can control, like trying your best with your school work, and see change as an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Talk with your family and friends to help you prepare yourself for returning to school.
The NSW Department of Education has put together some tips, hints and links to help our parents and carers navigate the return to school of students after lockdown.
The full details can be found by clicking on this link ‘Helpful Tips’
Factsheet – Helping Children Transition Back to School in the COVID-19 Era
Factsheet – COVID-19: Supporting Children to Return to School
Term 4 Events
After the Assessment Block, the students will participate in a variety of curricular and cocurricular activities designed to engage and extend them in the closing weeks of the school year. Initially, they will receive feedback for their assessments, reflect on their achievements and disappointments and then set future goals. The goal setting will take place with their Tutor and be communicated to parents.
3 November – YSafe Presentation
15 November – BURN BRIGHT – Inside Out Leadership: Leadership Starts from Within
Yr 8 will engage in a day-long program to support their self-development and personal leadership.
Outcomes:
- Understand they have influence and be challenged on how they are using that influence.
- Identify the qualities of a good leader and recognise their own strengths and the strengths of others.
- Improve their sense of self and enhance their self-confidence.
- Develop a capacity to overcome challenges and be resilient.
- Seek to foster positive friendships and look out for each other to enhance a greater sense of belonging.
- Understand the importance of service and start becoming a person who serves others.
- Appreciate diversity and celebrate differences.
17 & 18 November – STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths)
In November Yr 8 students will engage in a STEAM Day developed to engage and extend their skills and learner attributes.
Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au