Year 8

Sun, Fun and Run, Run, Run – it’s the SS Athletics Carnival!

It has been a jam-packed Term 2 and everyone is looking forward to their upcoming mid-year break. After completing some busy assessment schedules, Yr 8 students have had a positive air about them and this was no more apparent than at the recent Secondary School Athletics Carnival.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the final week of term, everyone was able to bring their boundless energy, enthusiasm and good cheer to the Carnival on Tuesday. And my, didn’t the weather show up as well?! It was a gorgeous day of sunshine, friendly competition and fun. Yr 8 put on an excellent showing across the day, engaging with good spirit in event after event from 100m sprints to 1500m endurance races, and also field events like javelin, high jump, shot put and long jump. The students were so involved, they even encouraged this Year Advisor to get amongst things as well – and if you look closely through the photos below, you might find a few depicting a slightly older person having fun, giving the Athletics events a red hot crack!

I was impressed not only with the participation of students on the day but also their support of their peers. It was wonderful to see everyone giving it a go and supporting their mates from the sideline (even when on crutches!)

Subject Selections for Year 9

On Wednesday, Ms Rolon (Dean of Studies 7-10) spoke to the cohort about elective selections for their Year 9 study. A lot of useful information was communicated to students to help them with their elective selections for 2025. You can find all the details Ms Rolon covered posted on Pulse.

Moonbah Term Selection

A quick reminder that the Moonbah term selections for 2025 need to completed by this Friday 28 June. Full information on the Moonbah program for 2025, including a link to the term nomination form is accessible through Pulse.

Senior Music Festival – Congratulations

Last Friday, Redlands held the Senior Music Festival, the theme this year being Kaleidoscope. The evening was a celebration of colours, sounds, instruments and student talent at The Concourse in Chatswood. Students from Yrs 7-12 were able to showcase their progress throughout this school year performing in ensembles and individually. Over 50 Yr 8 students worked hard towards preparing for the event this year for over two terms. The confidence and skill on display was a dedication to the hard work, commitment and love for their instrument. Well done to all students involved in making the event an exciting and entertaining night to remember. Thank you also to our resident Yr 8RR Tutor and Director of Music Performance (P-12), Mr Mathew Owen, and the entire Music Department for putting together an incredible evening.   

Uniform Reminder: Stay Smart and Warm!

With the weather getting colder, it is important to make sure our uniform standards don’t slip. A reminder that the blazer is a compulsory part of the Term 2 and 3 uniform. It should be worn to and from school. If students are cold (and we have had some chilly days!), they should wear their blazers and navy school woollen jumpers to stay warm. Please remember that fleeces are not part of our uniform. Looking smart helps us feel smart and ready to tackle the challenges of school with confidence and pride. 

Importantly, all students are required to wear their blazer to the End of Term Assembly on the final day of term, Friday 28 June. 

Best Wishes for a Lovely Mid-Year Break

Ms Wang and I want to wish all families a wonderful midyear break. Whether you are travelling interstate or overseas, or just hanging out at home, we hope the holiday period offers you and your charges important time to relax, recharge and reconnect with family and friends. We look forward to seeing all our students bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to tackle Term 3 when the term commences on Tuesday 23 July.

Term 2 Key Dates and Upcoming Events

  • End of Term 2 – Week 9: Friday 28 June
  • Start of Term 3 – Week 1: Tuesday 23 July

SEED Program (Years 8 & 9)

We have a fabulous opportunity for students to take part in an initiative with Taronga Zoo and Future Anything. 

The catch is, the afternoon sessions are on a Thursday, so if you have sport training then you won’t be able to participate. Please check your Term 3 schedule.

The SEED Program is a collaborative learning project for Years 8 and 9 students, in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society and Future Anything. It is an innovative social enterprise initiative that empowers students to develop enterprising skills while addressing real-world environmental and social issues. 

Over the course of approximately 30 hours spanning 16 weeks, students will move through an immersive design thinking process, collaborating with others to creatively solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Culminating in a showcase event held at Taronga Zoo, participants will be able to share their ideas for the chance to win exciting prizes. 

Key dates:

  • SEED Launch day – Thursday 1 August
  • Fortnightly workshops – Thursdays 3.30pm-5pm
  • Twilight Finals event – Thursday 7 November

Please let Ms Green know if you are interested, egreen@redlands.nsw.edu.au

StartUp Bootcamp Extracurricular (Years 7-11)

Do you have a business idea that you’d like to explore? Are you curious about entrepreneurship? We have the perfect extracurricular opportunity for you in Term 3!

StartUp Bootcamp: Idea to Impact. Wednesday afternoons 3:30-5:30pm

This is an introduction to innovation and entrepreneurship with a learn-by-doing approach. This exciting new extra-curricular program is open to students in Years 7-11 wanting to experience “startup life”. Anyone can join, not just students with existing entrepreneurial projects or ideas. 

We’ve partnered with Macquarie University Incubator to bring you a team of Experts in Residence each week, you’ll also hear from guest speakers in the startup ecosystem and be well supported as you explore innovative new ideas and even turn one into a venture!

Whether or not you plan on becoming an entrepreneur, the transferrable skills, bias towards action, resilience and creative confidence you’ll build though this program will help you excel in every aspect of school, work and life.

Find out more here but hurry, there are only 30 places available in this intake!

Start Here, Start Up.

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