Year 8
CONGRATULATIONS
A huge congratulations to Cameron Ellis (Yr 8 Dumolo Red Tutor) and his wife Jess on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Chloe Victoria who was born 22 November. We wish you all the best as you navigate through parenthood.
STEAM
What’s your 2040? – Where will you be in 2040?
- Have you thought about the future and what it may be like?
- In an ever-changing world and society what might some of our future challenges be?
- How are you going to protect the future?
2021 STEAM Focus – Coral reefs around the world are facing many challenges…so, what can we do to save our Great Barrier Reef?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9ionVV9SxI&t=1s
Australia has one of the largest ocean territories in the world, a resource that remains largely unexplored and unknown. Many of us think of the marine environment as something to be used, taken from or added to, used for leisure & sporting activities, obtaining food or mining resources such as oil and gas, sand and even fresh water. All habitats and organisms in the marine environment are inextricably linked by the one thing they have in common, the water they live in. This is a major resource that needs protecting because if the quality of the ocean water suffers so does everything that depends on it, including us.
Over the two STEAM Learning Days, students used the following Solution Fluency format to think creatively to solve the problem. They were required to define the problem, design and deliver a solution and then evaluate the process and outcome.
Students had to identify ONE area to focus on from the following:
Each group were then required to produce a 3-minute video titled Picture 180.
The Winning Group – Megan Kirkpatrick, Elenor Blankenstein and Sophie Yu.
“In order to save the Great Barrier Reef, we wanted to focus on reducing the amount of Crown of Thorns Starfish which are an invasive species that feeds on coral. Because of the higher levels of nutrients in the water due to agricultural runoff, and higher ocean temperatures, these starfish have been thriving. Consequently, the coral populations have been reduced dramatically, to dangerously low levels. Originally, we considered creating a contagious disease to kill them off, but we then realised that not only would it be difficult to engineer a completely new virus attuned to a species whose immune system is not well documented, the possible repercussions were dangerous: the virus could also infect other sea animals. We also thought about creating a machine to kill them, but we figured that this solution would not be long term, and the starfish would just regenerate, making it a difficult plan to sustain. Our final idea was to genetically engineer male Crown of Thorns Starfish that were sterile, and released ‘dummy sperm’ by altering their genetic codes, and therefore the proteins that they constructed. These sperm would not fertilise the eggs of the female during reproduction, but would trick her into thinking reproduction was successful. During the process of creating our idea and the presentation, we learnt about the basics of genetic engineering and the Crown of Thorn starfish reproduction process, but most importantly, we learnt about the Great Barrier Reef, about its size, beauty and importance, as well as the threats it faces. This project has made us value the reef more, and realise that if we don’t do something now, Australia’s own wonder of the world may not be here for much longer”.
- Megan Kirkpatrick
- Elenor Blankenstein
- Sophie Yu.
Holiday Inquiry – What difference could I make?
As students venture on holidays, with the likely chance of spending time by the ocean, on the ocean or even flying across the ocean, they are to ponder on these inquiry questions and think about how we could look after our oceanic environments locally, nationally and around the world.
- Should we view our ocean as a resource or a responsibility?
- Who thinks about the myriad of organisms that live in the diverse ocean environments?
- Do we even know what lives there and how modern human lifestyles are impacting on them?
- What lies beneath the surface? How can we sustain and protect this myriad of organisms?
- What could you do to make a difference?
Parenting, alcohol, parties and sleepovers in Yr 9
Why this year group can be so challenging and the importance of putting things into place now.
Thursday, 20 January 2022
7.00-8.30pm (AEDT)
If you’re a parent of a child about to begin Year 9 it’s important to prepare yourself for issues around sleepovers, parties and gatherings. Putting things into place now can prevent potential problems in the year (and years) ahead.
This presentation will focus on the positive influence that parents can have on their child’s drinking behaviour, even during adolescence, as well as the barriers that they may face during this time. Peer influence is a significant issue at this time and it is important for parents to have clear rules and boundaries in the area of sleepovers, parties, gatherings and alcohol.
This presentation will also examine the latest data on Australian teen drinking behaviour and the growing evidence on the risks associated with this practice.
For further details and registration please go the following link:
Year 12 Service Announcement
This year, our first service initiative is the Anglicare Christmas Appeal. Toys’ n’ Tucker is an initiative of Anglicare Sydney which tries to share the joy of Christmas by providing food and gifts for those who might otherwise go without. This past year has been more challenging than ever before, especially for the most disadvantaged in society. Unfortunately, due to COVID, we’re unable to run the Toys’ n’ Tucker drive as usual, with every family bringing donations to be packed by Anglicare into hampers for families in need. Instead, this year, Anglicare is encouraging all of us to donate, and they will be able to organise the hampers.
So, how will it work?
- You can donate money through the link provided below (This method helps us keep tally of Redlands contribution and will be paid direct to Anglicare in one amount).
https://gofund.me/2e6d8ee4 - Anglicare will use the donated funds to buy hamper items at wholesale prices
- Hampers will be packed at their Villawood Warehouse
- They will deliver hampers straight to peoples’ doors, bringing the joy of Christmas with them.
We aim to raise $5,000, and once we have reached that, we will host a Christmas-themed mufti day! We hope that every family will be able to donate at least $10. Let’s dig deep to share a little joy this Christmas!
Expectations
As the holidays approach, it becomes harder to focus in school. With this in mind, it is important for students to stay focused during these last few weeks as their lives tend to become busier with the end of year celebrations and events. It is crucial for students to continue to review materials for classes to prepare for the demands of Yr 9. We want to make sure students finish the school year as strong as they can and these few steps below can help them stay focused till the end of the year.
Student Attendance
Just a reminder that if a student is absent from school an explanation must be provided by a parent/carer to ssabsence@redlands.nsw.edu.au. If your child is absent due to illness, we thank you for providing details of your child’s symptoms. Any student absent with COVID-19 related symptoms must complete a PCR COVID-19 test and evidence of a negative test result must be provided to the School prior to the student returning to campus.
Year 9 Booklist
From the Counselling Team
IMPORTANT DATES
1 December End of Yr 8 Term 4
31 January Start of Yr 9 Term 1, 2022.
We have celebrated many successes this year. Our Yr 8 Staff and Pastoral Care Team are privileged each day to participate with our cohort’s academic journey. We recognise and applaud just how hard they have worked, and the outstanding effort they have consistently applied. We celebrate their achievements whether they be great or small, and share with pride the progress they have made with their learning.
I would like to thank the wonderful members of our Yr 8 Pastoral Team (Ms Vanessa Wang, Ms Jessica Carroll, Ms Kate Moore, Ms Rachael Riley, Mr Cameron Ellis, Ms Charlotte Putman, Ms Liz Williamson, Ms Martina Blasco, and Ms Chloe Vandervord). Throughout the year, they have collaborated to inspire, support and encourage our students. The creation of opportunities provided for each individual to be the best version of themselves has been wonderful watch, and they have endeavoured to instil in Yr 8 the courage and motivation to make an effort, and character to seek and endure challenging tasks.
Secondary School Speech Day
The Secondary School Speech Day will take place on 1 December at 2.00pm at Dunnet Hall, Redlands Junior Campus. Due to the current venue capacity restrictions, only those Secondary School students receiving a Prize or Scholastic Button, as well as some student musicians and speakers, will be in attendance in Dunnet Hall. All other students are expected to attend School and engage with the live-streamed event in their Tutor classroom. We anticipate the event to run for approximately 1.5 hours.
With the scheduled changes to restrictions governing schools from 1 December, we are pleased to be able to welcome one (fully-vaccinated) parent or carer of each student receiving a prize or scholastic button to these events. For all other parents and carers, the live-stream links will be communicated shortly.
Lastly, may your holidays sparkle with joy and laughter, and your summer break be full of peace, joy, and happiness. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2022 as our students begin their Yr 9 studies.
Merry Christmas, and best wishes for the new year.
Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9837
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au