Year 9

Subject Focus – Commerce

This week, Redlands had the opportunity to welcome two superstar facilitators from the Talk Money with Ecstra Foundation program, targeted at our enthusiastic Year 9 students. 
 
The workshops began with thought-provoking discussions on the evolving landscape of work and its implications for our future generations. We discussed why we work and how shifting dynamics have changed the nature of employment. The students reflected on these questions as they relate to their own lives and the choices that await. We also considered the complexities of employment types – part-time, full-time, casual, and self-employment – and the significance of understanding one’s rights within these frameworks. 
 
From an immensely pragmatic perspective, we analysed payslips, ensuring awards are rightly applied, and engaged in mock ‘difficult’ conversations. The room was abuzz as students shared stories of their own workplaces, checked their awards, and looked at payslips anew. There were several valuable take aways around always checking your hours and where to go for help if things don’t seem accurate. The level of engagement and curiosity was impressive with our presenters remarking that Redlands students were among the best they had seen. 
 
In a country where financial literacy levels are challenging, initiatives like these are not just beneficial but essential. These workshops provide more than knowledge; they offer our students the practical skills necessary to navigate life’s financial paths confidently. It perfectly aligns with their current Commerce assessment, where they delve into the realms of job selection, tax implications, and the critical choice of superannuation funds, fostering a foundation of financial literacy that is, fundamentally, a basic life skill. 

Rowing Medal Presentations in Assembly Last Week

NAPLAN 2024 

13-18 March

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN from 13 to 18 March.

  • 13 March – Years 7 & 9 Writing and Reading tests
  • 14 March – Years 7 & 9 Conventions of Language tests, plus catch up opportunity for missed tests
  • 15 March – Years 7 & 9 Numeracy tests, plus catch up opportunity for missed tests
  • 18 March – Catch up opportunity for missed tests

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site or links contained within the NAP Locked down browser, which has been installed on all students’ laptops, to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in NAPLAN. Students will be undertaking a practice test on 7 and 8 March during Mathematics classes.

Please ensure all students are fully prepared for the NAPLAN tests by bringing:

  • A fully charged laptop
  • Headphones or ear buds
  • Pen or pencil

Students will meet their Year Advisor in the Liggins Quad to assemble in alphabetical order.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact the Dean of Studies (Years 7-10), Ms Anna-Marie Rolon.

Writing Competitions

The following writing competitions are now open for submissions from students in Year 7-12:

We encourage all students to have a go at crafting a piece of writing. Whether it’s based on work they’ve done in English class or out of their own interest, writing a piece that is judged externally is a great way to gain validation for effort and skill.

For more details, please visit the website or contact Dr Phoebe Poon (High Potential Learning Coordinator) at ppoon@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Mr Tobias Horan
Yr 9 Advisor
9968 9872
thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au