Year 8

Key Dates

News and Achievements

• Well done to the following students for successfully completing their 2019 AMEB Music exam: Elena Parker (Horn 2nd Grade), Patrick Walker (Saxophone for Leisure 4th Grade), Helena Dracakis (Singing for Leisure 4th Grade), Alana Mansfield (Saxophone 4th Grade), Jamison Houchell (Trombone 4th Grade).
• A belated congratulations to Emelie Bessell and Oliver Kesby for making the Redlands 1sts Basketball teams.

Risky Physical Behaviour

Redlands has a hands-off and no tolerance policy for behaviour that could reasonably be anticipated to lead to personal injury – this includes horseplay, practical jokes and rowdiness. Some Yr 8 students have been engaging in risky physical behaviour during break times (this does not include engaging in regular approved ball games). Expectations have been made explicitly clear to students. Staff are being vigilant in monitoring behaviour. Any physical behaviour which places a student/s at risk will result in an immediate lunch detention and the student of concern being removed from the area of play. To allow students more opportunity to burn off energy, we have allocated a weekly Tutor session for additional outdoor time (see Note Day Term 4, Week 3).

Winter School 2020

Even though summer is about to hit us, it is time to get ready for Winter School 2020. In our historic 25th year of operation, this is an experience not to be missed. This year we are getting started early to help everyone plan ahead for the year to come. The Winter School Information Night will be held in Redlands Hall at 6.00pm on Monday 18 November. Applications open on Monday 11 November. The online application form and information about Winter School can be found on Redlands Pulse. 

Toys ’n’ Tucker

This year Redlands is coming together and sharing the Christmas joy with people in need by collecting for Toys ‘n’ Tucker. We are seeking unwrapped donations of non-perishable Christmas food items and toys. All students are encouraged to bring in something to contribute. Items will be collected during Tutor Time throughout Term 4. A list of suitable donation items can be found here.

After Tests and Exams

We congratulate students on a successful examination week. How students approach post examinations can be just as important as examination preparation. To assist you in supporting your child through this process, here is some advice provided to students:

When the test is returned in class:

• Check your marks carefully.
• Look at the things you got right and did well.
• Now look at the questions you got wrong and see if you understand what you did incorrectly and how to do it properly.
• Ask your teacher about anything you didn’t understand or can’t work out. 

The night when you get home:

File your test away with your notes from this topic or in a folder where you keep past tests. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What sections do I need to improve in and why?
• What had I forgotten that I needed to review more in-depth?
• Are there particular types of questions (eg multiple choice) that I am weak on?
• Are there sections of the course I need to review and re-learn?
• Are there questions I still need to ask for help on as I don’t know what I’ve done wrong?
• What worked well in my preparation for this subject?
• What changes should I make when preparing for this subject?
• Was the way I studied effective?
• Did I do enough preparation for this test?
• What examination techniques do I need to improve?
• What strategy did I use in the way I approached the examination? Was it effective? What changes do I need to make to the techniques I use in examinations?

The aim is to keep trying to improve on your performance and keep looking for ways to learn from the experience. If you didn’t do as well as you liked, what was the reason for this?

• I didn’t do enough study
• I had exam nerves on the day
• I had missed some of the work and didn’t catch up
• I didn’t study effectively
• My exam technique was not very good
• I spent too long on some questions and not enough on others 
• I studied the wrong things
• I should have done more actual practice not just reading
• I ran out of time in my study time 

Within a week or so after the test:

• If you did a particular section really badly, redo it and ask your teacher to have a look and see if you have improved.
• Rewrite and resubmit essay questions you did poorly in.
• Update all your study notes and summaries with things you need to remember for next time based on what you learnt from the exam.
• Write a list of what you need to remember for next time.
• Check you really understand the things you got wrong. Don’t just leave them as they will come back to haunt you one day! Instead, ask your teacher to help you understand them.
• Make a list of the topic areas you are weak on or will need to review again. Many of the subsequent topics you study will build upon these so it is important that you build a solid foundation of knowledge.
• Talk with your teacher about what you could do to improve. 

Ms Marita Jansons 
Yr 8 Advisor
mjansons@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9819