Year 8

Coaching Conversations

Throughout the course of the week, Year 8 students and their Tutors have been engaging in Coaching Conversations. This is a one-to-one conversation which helps students reflect on their previous term and set appropriate goals for the term to come. 

In our opening assembly for the term, Ms Van de Peer outlined a focus for two goals to be considered. The first was a goal with an academic focus. With an assessment period coming about, students were encouraged to set a habit-based goal tied to exam preparation so that this could be added to their study repertoire throughout their schooling. The message was to start and build good habits early so that they are second nature later on when the workload increases.

The second goal was to be designed around the idea that ‘other people matter’. This prompt asks students to consider how they could put a simple goal in place to improve their awareness of, and interactions with their peers, teachers or the local community. Examples include; ‘greeting those who stand at the front gate each morning’, ‘not walking down the street looking at a phone with my head down’, ‘not contributing to group chats where the discussions are becoming negative’ or ‘picking up a chore at home’.

It was very pleasing to hear (and have) a number of these conversations with students. Many of whom have clearly given thought to what they want to achieve over the next few weeks. I would highly encourage you to ask your student/s about this conversation, what their goals were and if there was anything that could be done to assist them to achieve these goals.

Managing Distractions

If you are interested I have recently come across an older article from ReachOut that provides some practical tips on helping teens avoid distractions during study. Please see this link for further reading.

Debating Term 4 and in 2024

RDC TERM 4 STARTS OCTOBER 20

New Debaters

All students in Years 7-11 who are new to debating and would like to be considered for a 2024 competitive team need to trial this term. Please email Mrs Beggs and attend RDC/Trials from 3:30pm-5:30pm on the dates below. 

If you are not sure whether you want to be on a team, but would just like to have a go to see if debating is for you, this is your chance! 

Email Mrs Beggs to let her know!

Existing Debaters

All 2023 ISDA, FED, SDN, and RDC debaters are expected to come to internal (RDC) debating for the rest of term in order to keep up training, practice debates and feedback.

These debates (your best ones) will also be used to inform team selection for 2024.

If you are NOT wishing to attend or be considered for 2024 team selection,  or if you will be running late due to a musical or other commitment, please let Mrs Beggs know via email.

Please arrive promptly at 3:30pm – we will be sorting you into teams then, on a week to week basis.

Key Dates for the Term

We have a number of significant events in the first part of the term which include:

• Week 4 – Monday – Friday – Year 8 Exam Block
• Week 6 – Tuesday – ACER SEW Survey
• Week 6 – Wednesday – Project Rockit
• Week 8 – TBC – STEAM Project
• Week 8 – Friday – Senior School Carols
• Week 9 – Wednesday – Speech Day

Mr Tobias Horan
Yr 8 Advisor
9968 9872
thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au