Year 8
Week 2 – Setting High Expectations for Year 8
With a week of Semester 1 under our belt, I took the time on Monday to reiterate the high expectations we hold for our Yr 8 cohort. We want to see them flourish across this final semester of their Stage 4 studies, developing their academic knowledge and understanding, and their social and emotional skills. In our Year Assembly at the start of the week, I reiterated a few important reminders that it would be valuable to reaffirm at home:
- No Phones – phones need to be kept in lockers throughout the school day, to help students avoid being distracted.
- Appropriate uniform – if students look the part, they are far more likely to bring their best selves to classes, activities and interactions with others. School uniform guidelines can be found on Pulse.
- Responsible laptop use – students need to take ownership over managing their laptop use so that they remain focused and responsible during lessons.
- Maximise the value of class time – you only get out what you put in. Students should aim to ask questions, complete tasks thoroughly and put their best efforts into activities. Be sure to reach out to teachers in you are unsure. Effort = success!
My final message to the cohort was to be kind, to be supportive and to be amazing humans! We hope to see Yr 8 embrace this mantra, particularly as they focus on the value of service this semester in our pastoral sessions and engage in service initiatives outside of school.
To support this focus further, we had our Redlands Service Coordinator, Ms Peterson, visit the cohort on Monday to discuss the importance of ‘Jeans for Genes’ day. After explaining the value of this cause and the powerful impact it has on supporting the development of cures for childhood genetic illness, Ms Peterson challenged the cohort to harness their service spirit and play a key role in providing baked goods for Friday’s upcoming ‘Jeans for Genes’ day charity bake sale. She also challenged them to embrace our Yr 8 service focus this term and work hard to find a service activity that not only appeals to their interests, but really helps to support a valuable cause.
Reminder: Jeans for Genes Day Bake Sale – Friday, August 2
Tomorrow, we will be celebrating ‘Jeans for Genes’ day at Redlands.
Did you know 1 in 20 children faces a birth defect or genetic disease? That equates to around 1 student per class! With these facts, a cause close to our hearts at Redlands is ‘Jeans for Genes’ day. This event is all about supporting medical research and raising funds for children and families living with genetic disorders.
Tomorrow, we will be promoting this cause with our own ‘Jeans for Genes’ day events. Students are encouraged to come to school in their favourite pair of jeans or denim clothing, as well as wearing the colour blue. For the privilege of dressing in casual clothes, a gold coin donation will be collected during Tutor. Students may also wish to purchase a blue ribbon at the school gates for $2 or to buy bake sale items in the Liggins Quad at recess.
Importantly, this year, Yr 8 are in charge of coordinating and running the bake sale. To this end, WE NEED YOUR HELP!
If you are able to bake some cookies, slices, brownies or cupcakes for the bake sale, that will go a huge distance towards helping us to raise important funds for the event. Please make sure there are no nuts in any baked goods! See the details below for how to get involved.
Whole School Term 3 Welcome Assembly
On Friday of last week, the school was able to gather together as a full community to welcome everyone back to Term 3. It was a significant moment, as it was one of the final times all the school captains would be able to speak to the student body. They engaged the audience with a simple question – why Redlands? The challenge was for students to reflect on why they valued their time and experiences at Redlands, and each school leader offered their own answer to the ‘why Redlands’ question. Even Mr Corcoran provided a response and, perhaps not surprisingly, his answer reflected the teaching staff’s response – the amazing students we have at Redlands!
During the assembly, we were also treated to some wonderful music numbers. I want to congratulate all the Yr 8 members of the choir who presented a catchy and exciting performance of the Weekend’s ‘Blinded by the Lights’ during the assembly. A special mention to Michelle Byron and Isabel Ciaramellano who led the singing so beautifully!
Gala Arts 2024
Wow! I will say it again – wow! If you did not get yourself a ticket to Gala Arts this year, then make sure you write it down in your calendar for 2025 because it was amazing!
On Friday of last week, the Redlands Gala Arts showcase was held at the Chatswood Concourse and it was a spectacular demonstration of the extreme talent Redlands students possess in instrumental, vocal, photography, theatre, and dance. The confidence our students demonstrated in stepping out in front of a crowded auditorium to showcase their performing arts talents was commendable and the quality of performances was so high that is was easy to forget that it was just high school students on stage.
I want to extend a huge congratulations to all the Year 8 students who auditioned for Gala Arts, and particularly commend those who were selected to perform as part of the showcase. Well done to:
- ‘Who’s on First?’ (Theatre) – Matvey Krapovnitsky
- ‘His Daughter’ (Dance) – Phoebe Sun
- ‘Checkmate’ (Dance) – Freya Carroll, Juliet Cooke, Ada Grossman, Anabelle Kendrigan, Adabelle Lee, Zoe Murdoch and Lily Musgrave-Kresa
- ‘A Musical’ from ‘Something Rotten’ (Theatre) – Leo Campbell and Mackenzie Willis
- ‘Electricity’ from ‘Billy Elliot’ – Mackenzie Willis
Congratulations also to William Chee, Zac Fowler and Connor Price who were the photography finalists, with Zac Fowler winning the category; and Phoebe Dawson-Damer who was an integral member in the backstage production team.
I look forward to the amazing performances that will be on stage in 2025. They certainly have a tough act to follow!
Year 8 Student Led Conferences – Week 3
In Week 3, on Wednesday 7 August, parents and carers of students in Yr 8 will have the chance to discuss their child’s progress with their teachers in the student led conferences. These conferences are an excellent opportunity to connect with teachers and gain insight into your child’s strengths and areas for development.
To help students take ownership over this process, during Tutor Time next week, we will work on planning scripts and question prompts for students to lead these conversations, such as introducing parents to their teachers and seeking to identify their perceived strengths and weaknesses in the subject. This student led process will help students to take ownership over identifying and addressing where they can improve in their engagement, diligence or behaviour during lessons.
Academic Assessment Services – Week 3
On 7 August, Year 8 students will sit a half day of testing provided by Academic Assessment Services from 8.25am – 12.10pm in Redlands Hall. Students will need to bring a pen and a scientific calculator (not a CAS) to the test. As independent consultants, they specialise in the assessment and analysis of educational performance and progress. Their team of professionals include measurement and curriculum experts, education experts and teachers who will provide guidance in the development of strategic action plans for each student. Parents will be emailed a copy of the results.
Club Spotlight – Beekeeping Club and Gardening Club
The opportunities for students to engage in a range of fun clubs and activities continues to grow at Redlands. Joining a lunchtime club is an excellent way to learn new skills and knowledge and broaden one’s social circle, so I challenge students to get involved in a new club this term. A full list of Redlands club offerings can be found on Pulse and students might consider the following two to get them started!
Recently, bee hives were put onto the roof of the Learning Hub and students have been having a wonderful time processing honey, making candles and lip balm and learning all there is to know about the ancient art of beekeeping in the Beekeeping Club. So, get busy like a little bee and buzz along to the club on Tuesdays Week A at lunchtime on the Learning Hub rooftop.
With some wonderful nurturing, our Gardening Club also continues to flourish and grow (see what I did there?), engaging students by giving them the opportunity to design garden plots, build plant support, harvest produce and even gain their own healthy snacks from the garden! Whether you are new to gardening or have a green thumb, this is a club worth checking out on Monday and Thursdays at lunchtime on the Learning Hub rooftop.
Tickets Are Selling For Away!
Away by Michael Gow, will be performed by Redlands students and is set in 1960s Australia, following three families on holiday, each grappling with personal issues. Away transcends class distinctions and xenophobia, demonstrating how understanding and empathy can bring us together.
- When: Thursday 8 August 2024 – Saturday 10 August 2024
- Where: Zenith Theatre in Chatswood (corner Mcintosh St and Railway St)
Term 3 Key Dates and Upcoming Events
- Jeans for Genes Day – Week 2: Friday 2 August
- Year 8 Allwell Testing – Week 3: Wednesday 7 August
- Year 8 Student Led Conferences – Week 3: Wednesday 7 August
- School Play: ‘Away’ – Week 3: Thursday 9 to Saturday 10 August
- Science Week – Week 4: Monday 12 – Friday 16 August
- SS Parent Wellbeing Session – Week 5: Tuesday 20 August
- Yr 8 Geography Excursion – Week 6: Friday 30 August
- Wear it Purple Day – Week 6: Friday 30 August
- R U OK? Day – Week 8: Thursday 12 September
- 2025 Student Leaders Announcement – Week 8: Friday 13 September
- End of Term 3 – Week 10: Thursday 26 September
Mr Jimmy Tod-Hill
Year 8 Advisor
jtodhill@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6462