Year 8

Week 5 – It’s Time to Thrive!

With one or two assessments already under their belt – Mathematics for all on Monday and Technology for some later in the week – Year 8 are certainly into the thick of their learning this year. They are building their capacity to organise their time and ensure diligent preparation for their assessments – utilising the lessons they gained around their 2023 End of Year Examinations. The week after camp is also a big one, with a range of elective language assessments, PDHPE practical and an English podcast assessment. With Yr 8 camp prefacing all of that, it will be important for students to get as much preparation work done prior to boarding that camp bus on Monday morning.

A great tool for students this year is certainly their student planner. It is a key place to keep track of their home learning, plan ahead for assessments and maintain valuable ‘to do’ lists for organisation; the planner also offers clear details to help students understand the School’s Code of Conduct, uniform requirements and other key policies. It is a critical resource that should never be far from a student’s hands!

Stepping Beyond

On Tuesday we had a jam-packed Stage 4 Student Leaders Assembly. There were some amazing dramatic performances from Arts Captains, Hallie and Sholto and some important announcements from our Service Captains, Antonia and William, about International Women’s Day and the important role this day plays in recognising the historical efforts to build equality between men and women, while also reflecting on the efforts which continue to be needed in this space. As part of this focus, a panel presented their views on the importance of International Women’s Day. Well done to Yr 8 students, Fergus and Liv, who were both part of this panel and each spoke eloquently and thoughtfully about the day and its significant meaning to them.

A hearty congratulations too to Ady Lee who was awarded the first Step Beyond award for Yr 8, in recognition of her excellent diligence, note taking and efforts in Mathematics so far this year. These awards are given by our student leadership team to students who are pushing themselves to be their best in academic or cocurricular pursuits in the school, and we look forward to seeing more worthy recipients as the year unfolds.

Yr 8 Camp in Week 6 – Key Details

With just a few days until Yr 8 camp, it is time to get excited and definitely time to get organised!

Today, in Tutor, students engaged in a range of thoughtful activities designed to prepare themselves for the challenges they will face on camp and to ensure they are on top of their organisation and packing for camp. They reviewed the packing list and talked about the activities they will engage in and how they can support their peers and themselves to have a great time. I am really looking forward to seeing Yr 8 step out of their regular routine and build their resilience and sense of adventure as they engage in the outdoor program.

Please check the information below for key reminders and reach out to me (Yr 8 Year Advisor) if you have any questions.

  • Outcomes: A focus on the natural landscape. We explore the beautiful rainforests and the coastal sand dunes, rock pools and mangroves of the Mid-North Coast.
  • Dates: Monday 4 March – Friday 8 March
  • Location: Stuarts Point, Mid-North Coast.
  • Meeting Time: 6.30am, Monday 4 March
  • Meeting Point: Gerard St, Gate (the Undercroft) – Departing from Redlands Lane, Senior Campus
  • Returning at: Approximately 2-2.30pm, Friday 8 March
  • Activities: Bushwalking, Camping, Camp Cooking, Canoeing, Hiking, Initiatives, MTB, and Surfing.
  • Food for Day 1: Please pack snacks and Lunch for Day 1 (No nut products or lollies).

Packing List and Camp Information:

Camp details can be found here.

  • Login – Redlands
  • Password – Shine

Medication on Camp:

All student medication must be accompanied with a Redlands Medical Authority Form. MAFs are located on the Outdoor Education Camps section on Pulse. Please note the following:

  • Prescription Medication MUST be placed into a Webster-Pak from a pharmacy. Medical Authority Form attached.
  • Non-prescription medication (Zyrtec etc.) MUST be left in the original box with a Medical Authority Form completed and placed into a clear Zip-lock bag.
  • Students should not be carrying Panadol or Nurofen.
  • Completed Medical Authority Forms must be emailed to Mr Atkins (eatkins@redlands.nsw.edu.au) by Wednesday 28 February.

Additional Information:

If your child/ren has any cold and/or flu symptoms on departure day, they should not be attending camp.

Secondary School Individual Portraits and Sibling Photos Catch -up Opportunity

Friday 1 March

 A catch-up date for missed Yr 7-12 Portrait photos and sibling photos will be offered on Friday 1 March at 10.10-11.05am in the Learning Hub Level 2 Atrium.

All students are required to be wearing their full school uniform, including blazers for all and ties for boys. Boys must be clean shaven with hair that has been cut so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Boys and girls with a hair length touching the collar is to be styled and tied-up neatly so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Hair is to be tied back with navy and hair coloured accessories.  No hair dye, mullet style haircuts, make-up or nail polish is permitted. No jewellery is to be worn other than one pair of plain gold or silver studs in ear lobes.

If you have any questions, alterations or additional orders, please contact Melba Studios directly on (02) 9438 4566 or email sales@melbastudios.com.au

Term 1 Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

  • Yr 8 Camp (Yarriabini National Park): Monday 4 March to Friday 8 March
  • Yr 8 Building Blocks Evening: Wednesday 13 March
  • Redlands Musical: Thursday 21 March to Saturday 23 March

Mr Jimmy Tod-Hill
Year 8 Advisor
jtodhill@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6462