Year 9

Yr 9 UTS Start Up Excursion

On Tuesday, a group of Year 9 students spent the day thinking like entrepreneurs as they participated in a masterclass run by UTS Startups. The 25 students were selected based on their successful pitch to their ‘client’ as part of their Commerce Intrapreneurship Program in Term 3.  

Building Confidence in Public Speaking 

In their first session at UTS Startups, the students delved into the art of public speaking and pitching. The aim was to boost their confidence when addressing an audience. They were encouraged to confront the fears that may have been holding them back and instead choose to amplify their message. Interestingly, many students reported that simply acting with more confidence and applying some of the tools they heard helped them to forget about their fears and exist in the moment instead.  

Opportunity Identification and Product Creation 

The second workshop focused on opportunity identification, where students were tasked with creating a product to sell on Etsy. This involved analysing data to spot market trends as well as gaps. The student teams needed to blend those insights with their creative ideas to quickly generate something they thought would fulfil a need in the market. To further enhance their product presentation, they utilized DALL E 3, a powerful AI tool, to rapidly generate company logos and images of their products. 

In a remarkable display of creativity and innovation, our students managed to create products that not only aligned with market demand but also showcased their unique perspectives. What is more impressive is that they accomplished all of this in under two hours, a testament to their ability to adapt and learn quickly. 

Lunch at Spice Alley and UTS Campus Tour 

After an enriching morning of learning and creating, the students enjoyed a well-deserved lunch at the vibrant Spice Alley, known for its delicious Asian cuisine. The day continued with a tour of the remarkable UTS campus, providing them with insights into the world of higher education and innovation. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our hosts at UTS Startups for providing our students with this invaluable experience. The knowledge and skills they gained will undoubtedly serve them well in their future endeavors. 

Piloting the Opportunity Identification Program 

We know there will be a range of students interested in participating in something similar. On Friday 27 October, UTS Startups will be speaking to the entire Year 9 cohort about entrepreneurialism and potential avenues for exploration. We are also running a pilot program later this term which is based on what the students experienced at the masterclass and is run in partnership with UTS Startups. The pilot program is called Rapid Value Creation (RVC) and all Year 9 students were invited to express their interest. 

As we pilot this program, we will gather valuable insights and feedback that will help us shape future educational offerings at Redlands. It is an exciting step toward fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among our students. 

Australia World Scout Jamboree 2023 Reflection – Will Raymond

I had the massive privilege to be chosen to go and represent Australia at the World Scout Jamboree 2023 for three chaotic, hot and fun weeks. While we were there we got to do cool activities such us white water rafting, exploring Seoul and so much more. One of the most amazing parts was that we got to socialise with the other 170 countries and other 51,000 Scouts walking in the same mud we did. It was a great experience to be able to walk up to anyone wearing a scarf and say “where are you from?” and be able to make an entire conversation with someone when I didn’t even know their name. It was certainly hard doing this Jaboree. From the 40-45 degree weather at all times (even at night), to the millions of bugs that seemed to always be orbiting around you, to the massive amount of walking on the 8.8 square kilometre campsite – all of it was amazingly challenging. Overall, this experience was a blast; from the “character building” to the socialising. I enjoyed every minute of it! (Even the typhoons.)

Focus on Female Friendship

Last week on Friday in our Yr 9 meeting, I spoke specifically to our female students about managing conflict in female relationships. Students started the session with meditation and breathwork to facilitate and encourage the mindset needed to listen to message they were presented. Here is a summary of the key messages I presented to Yr 9 female students:

• Conflict within female relationships is normal. It’s how you navigate that conflict that will make all the difference.
• It’s important to recognise conflict as a symptom for what might be underlying in each individual – emotional expressions of anger, disappointment and fear, and that these behaviours provide an insight into the way we all solidify friendships and practise social manoeuvring.
• It’s normal to not like everybody, all the time. Not only is it OK for you to acknowledge that — it’s healthy.
• There is no expectation that you have to be friends with everyone — but you should be friendly.

Some Strategies to Avoid Conflict and Aid Social and Emotional Development: 

• Don’t socially exclude or gossip – it does not demonstrate respect, compassion or moral courage.
• Don’t exclude others using social media or text messages.
• Be your own person and remember that other people matter – be an upstander! 
• Don’t compare yourself to what’s trending on social media – it’s unhealthy and unproductive. 
• Don’t focus on others perceived failings – affirm all that you and your peers have done and are yet to do!
• It’s normal to shift and change groups at this stage in your adolescent development – this movement will happen over the next months and years as we move into different educational settings and programs.  
• Admit your mistakes and apologise.

Wellbeing Support Session for Parents

Strength in Connections: Fostering Resilience, Self-confidence, and Healthy Relationships in Adolescents

Experiencing overly emotional outbursts over friendship ‘drama’? This workshop is for you!

Designed to support parents and caregivers of young people who might display heightened emotional reactions to stressful situations and peer conflicts, this workshop provides both information and practical strategies. Our aim is to assist you in nurturing resilience and a robust sense of self in your young person. By doing so, your child can develop the skills needed to tackle challenges, boost their self-confidence, and navigate social relationships in a manner that fosters healthy connections with their peers.

Furthermore, we’ll provide valuable insights into community resources and offer guidance on accessing professional support when necessary.

Date: Tuesday 31 October 2023 5.30pm – 7.00pm 
Nibbles and Drinks – 5.30pm – 6.00pm
Presentation – 6.00pm – 7.00pm

Audience: Parents of Year 7 to Year 12

Location: New Learning Hub – LH2.7 & LH2.8

RSVP HERE

Debating

From Ms Beggs (Coordinator of Debating)
Please note, all this information is on Pulse and can be found here.

Important – RDC Term 4 starts October 20

New Debaters

All students in Years 7-11 who are new to debating and would like to be considered for a 2024 competitive team need to trial this term. Please email Mrs Beggs and attend RDC/Trials from 3:30pm-5:30pm on the dates below. 

If you are not sure whether you want to be on a team, but would just like to have a go to see if debating is for you, this is your chance! 

Email Mrs Beggs to let her know!

Existing Debaters

All 2023 ISDA, FED, SDN, and RDC debaters are expected to come to internal (RDC) debating for the rest of term in order to keep up training, practice debates and feedback.

These debates (your best ones) will also be used to inform team selection for 2024.

If you are NOT wishing to attend or be considered for 2024 team selection,  or if you will be running late due to a musical or other commitment, please let Mrs Beggs know via email.

Please arrive promptly at 3:30pm – we will be sorting you into teams then, on a week to week basis.

Homeland Tour to Arnhem Land on 21-27 April 2024

Redlands will be offering a Homeland Tour to Arnhem Land on 21-27 April 2024. This Tour will be open to current Year 9 and 10 students.

In this cultural immersion, students will revisit and build on the ideas they were introduced to in last year’s Culture College Camp, consolidating knowledge and understanding. After a brief stay at the Gulkula site students will travel to one of the remote Yolngu Homeland areas, usually Nyinyikay. This offers the opportunity for a much more personal, extensive, and detailed exploration of Yolngu culture than was possible on the year group Camp.

Visiting and spending time in a Yolngu Homeland is something few people ever get to experience. Students will be immersed in the living culture of Aboriginal clans of East Arnhem Land, one of the most culturally intact and pristine regions left on Earth. This unique program provides privileged access and interaction with the Yolngu people and their lands of which they have been the traditional owners for over 50,000 years.

This Tour is an opportunity for students who are ready and willing to consider more deeply the knowledge they gained previously and how to effect change for the future. We are proud to be working with Culture College to provide opportunities for connection between cultures.

The cost of the tour is $5,395. A proposed itinerary and booking form can be found on Pulse.

Bookings and payments are made directly to Culture College, so please check their Terms and Conditions on the Booking Form.

Winter School 2024 – Expressions of Interest

Mr Atkins will be speaking with Yr 9 briefly on Friday about the application process for Winter School 2024. Students will be asked to communicate with Mr Atkins directly via email to express their interest in being considered for Winter School 2024. This will need to be completed by Friday 27 October. The Winter School application process involves a few steps for our Yr 9 students over the next 2-3 terms and more information will be provided to those students who put forward their EOI.

More general information can be found of the Winter School Pulse Page.

Mrs Lucienne Willis
Yr 9 Advisor
lwillis@redlands.nsw.edu.au