Year 8

Welcome back! I hope that the holiday break allowed time and relaxation with loved ones, and there were some opportunities for a break prior to the lockdown. Despite the challenge of students starting term remotely, we hope they are ready to embark on a new term with enthusiasm, diligence and focus.

It is an absolute pleasure that I introduce five new students to Yr 8 this semester; Hugh Dixon, Sara Hamori, Nora Moncau Munio, Fredinand Sorensen and Martha Sorensen. We wish them a wonderful start to Redlands.

COVID & Remote Learning

Resources for Parents:

Click here for more resources for parents

NSW Government website – Learning from home – Tips & Advice

Wellbeing

Being confined to home for an extended period of time can cause stress and conflict. Tips for looking after your children during isolation include:

  • Talking to your whole family about what is happening. Understanding the situation will reduce their anxiety.
  • Help your children to think about how they have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassure them that they will cope with this situation too. Remind them that the isolation won’t last for long.
  • Exercise regularly. Options could include exercise DVDs, dancing, floor exercises, yoga, walking around the backyard or using home exercise equipment, such as a stationary bicycle, if you have it. Exercise is a proven treatment for stress and depression.
  • Encourage your children to keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media (where appropriate).

Communicating with Your Child

We encourage you to start and finish each day with a simple check-in. These check-ins should be a regular part of each day and start straight away. Not all students thrive in a Remote Learning environment; some struggle with too much independence or lack of structure and the check-ins help keep them on track.

In the morning, ask:

  • What are you learning today?
  • What are your learning targets or goals?
  • How will you be spending your time?
  • What resources do you require?
  • What support do you need?

In the afternoon, ask:

  • What did you learn today?
  • Acknowledge one thing that was difficult. Either let it go or come up with a strategy to deal with the same problem if it comes up again
  • Consider three things that went well today. Why were they good?
  • Are you ok? Do you need to ask your teacher for something? Do you need help with something to make tomorrow more successful?

These specific questions matter because they allow your child to process the instructions they have received from their teachers and help them organise themselves and set priorities. 

Digital Citizenship

We recommend that you take the time to explore issues of digital citizenship and then discuss these with your child. Click here for more information.

It is important that during this period of Remote Learning that we maintain safe and responsible use of information and communication technologies.

This includes appropriate use of digital platforms, privacy and information protection, respectful communication and how to deal with online issues.

Athletics Carnival

Scholastic Awards – Term 2

Congratulations to the following students who received Scholastic Awards for academic excellence at the end of Term 2:

Keira Attard
Hugo Baird
Thomas Dewar
Jesse Forrest
Rebecca Frantz
Kiana Gapaillard
Krishna Gupta
Charlotte Humphreys
Annabelle Hwang
Megan Kirkpatrick
Katherine Lam
Andrew Macourt
Rory Mcmillan
Liam Petersen
Samantha Wightwick
Emma Wong
Sophie Yu

Debating

Congratulations for your selection, and good luck to the following students for the SDN competition when it commences in Term 3.

Jesse Forrest
Rebecca Frantz
Krishna Gupta
Kosta Mangos
Grace Matthews
Lucile Thompson
Emma Wong
Sophie Yu
Millie Winton

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au