Year 8

Week 10 – Keeping our Nose to the Grindstone

After a wonderful Easter long weekend, it was a fast return to a busy week for Yr 8. Students faced the test of navigating multiple assessments this week, learning the challenge of balancing their time between tasks to ensure their best effort could be applied to them all.

In Tutor Time, the cohort completed effort tracking, a process where students self-assess each quality of their behaviour, diligence and engagement in their various subjects. Teachers also provide students with effort tracking scores and the difference between a student’s self-assessment versus their teachers’ scores can often be the source of a valuable conversation with their Tutor, as students develop their self-awareness regarding their personal approach to lessons.

Our Coaching Conversations also continued in Tutor time as students reflected on their personal progress so far this year and continued to set valuable goals to work through in the semester ahead. This goal setting process has carried on across the term in Tutor time, with students engaging in meaningful discussions with their Tutors about how they can develop their academic potential and continue to refine their social and emotional skills. The process is designed to engage students in considering the outcomes they wish to achieve and then setting actionable targets that they can achieve.

Some of our cohort goals academic goals have been:

  • “I would like to engage more in my classes by putting my hand up more often and by asking my teacher for extra activities if I finish quickly.”
  • “I want to start assessments earlier. The window between getting assessment notifications and task due dates is earlier, so checking the calendar and starting earlier is a goal of mine.”
  • “I would like to focus on my time management skills in getting work done by minimising distractions and maximising productivity by setting a more specific time schedule. E.g. setting 1 hour for Maths instead of setting anytime in a week.”

Some of our social and emotional goals have been:

  • “I want to further expand my friend groups by being part of different things. I’m in a range of cocurricular activities and am looking to expand and challenge myself socially.”
  • “I want to be kinder to people, so that I can get along with more people. I’ll do this by thinking more before talking and aiming to have to less impulsive behaviour.”
  • “I would like to practice meditating more, particularly for football as it will help me forget about moments of stress.”

Cross Country Review

Congratulations again to all students who competed in the Secondary School Cross Country Carnival last week. As a compulsory event for Yr 8 this year, we had many bodies on the ground, pushing to achieve their best. The course was a tricky one, with some tough uphill sections and challenging twists and turns over the 3km, so it was an achievement for everyone to get through it. The final results have been tallied for each age group, so a massive congratulations to the following students, who all achieved overall age champions or runners up positions:

  • U14 Girls Age Champion: Liv Law
  • U14 Girls Runner Up: Natalie Bai
  • U14 Boys Runner Up: Tristan Fournier Le Ray

A big congratulations to Cowper House who also won the overall carnival by quite a large margin in points! Dumolo placed second, followed closely by McDouall and then Roseby.

English Writing Competitions

There are some exciting opportunities for eager students to flex their writing muscles this term and next with the following writing competitions now open for submissions from students in Yrs 7-12:

We encourage all students to have a go at crafting a piece of writing. Whether it is based on work they have done in their English class or something they have composed 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 websites above or contact Dr Phoebe Poon (Redlands High Potential Learning Coordinator) at ppoon@redlands.nsw.edu.au

First Australia RoboCamps

First Australia RoboCamps teach students to design, build and code robots to complete a series of challenges. Classes are offered from beginner to advanced level in purpose-built facilities at Macquarie University. These are perfect for students who wish to stretch and challenge their STEM engineering and coding skills. RoboCamps will run over the April term break, and the deadline for registration is 14 April.

Register Here

Rise to the Challenge: Join the 2024 Balmoral Burn Schools Relay


Get ready to unleash your potential and join the 2024 Balmoral Burn Schools Relay! Students from Years 7–12, get ready to conquer Sydney’s steepest street in Mosman for a noble cause. Join Redlands for the Humpy Dumpty Balmoral Burn Schools Relay on 26 May, 7:30 to 9:30 am. This event isn’t just about the challenge; it supports sick children nationwide. Founded by Phil Kearns AM to thank the Royal North Shore Hospital, the Balmoral Burn aids hospitals through the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. Students can form teams of four, aiming to raise $250 per team for the cause. Separate races will be held for boys and girls. Email Mr. Walker your team by the end of Week 1, Term 2, to participate. Let’s unite as a community and make a difference. For more information, check the Secondary Sports section of Note Day.

Term 1 Key Dates and Upcoming Events

  • Term Ends: Friday 12 April

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