Year 8

Week 2: Making Connections and Making Waves

Yr 8 have adjusted well to the new year at Redlands. They are approaching their subjects confidently, looking fantastic in new and old uniforms and interacting with positivity and care towards their peers and others in the Redlands community. Friday was a powerful moment of connection as students engaged in ‘Fun Friday’ activities in Tutor and proceeded to rebuild the strong Tutor community they had forged in 2023. Whether it was Cowper playing Connect Four, Dumolo heading outside to get some sun, McDouall jumping and jiving to Just Dance or Roseby playing with Kamifusen (provided to all students by their wonderful Tutor, Mr Owen), it was a clear indicator of the beautiful communities that exist in our Yr 8 cohort. We will keep building these connections across the year and beyond, so the cohort always feel supported and seen in their Tutor spaces.

On Monday we held a year assembly, reiterating some of the key messages that students have been told across the term in relation to uniform, hair and locker security. Students were reminded that their lockers will be inspected on Friday, with Tutors looking for how organised they are, how clean they are and if they have working locks on them. We appreciate your support in reminding students of the importance of keeping their lockers locked, in order to protect their personal possessions.

Lucas Gai also shared his experiences with the cohort, detailing his amazing holiday journey to China. He regaled us with facts about the terracotta warriors and the Forbidden City, where the palace complex is 720,000 square metres, with 9,999 rooms in the palace. Fun fact: it can fit 50 Buckingham Palaces inside it!

Swimming Carnival brings out our House Spirit

The rain may have initially dampened some spirits on Tuesday morning (this Year Advisor certainly got a bit wet!) but the water at Homebush reinvigorated them as we dived headfirst into the Redlands Secondary School Swimming Carnival for 2024. There was a lot of noise, colour and excitement as everyone brought their energy to supporting their respective Houses and getting in the pool to race each other for fun, fitness and fame. It was a really positive vibe and a great indicator of our powerful Redlands community. There were certainly a few laughs too, especially when four Yr 12 students moved through the stands dressed in inflatable shark costumes!

Well done to all the students who got involved, particularly those who entered into more than one race. A huge congratulations especially to our Yr 8 Age Champions and Runners Up for the day:

  • Freya Nixey 14 Girls Age Champion (and also Junior Division Champion)
  • Liv Law 14 Girls Runner Up
  • Lachlan Carter 14 Boys Runner Up

Cocurricular Opportunities – The Activities Fair

It was a busy and buzzing afternoon today as all Redlands cocurricular clubs and activities gathered together at lunch to promote the fun and fulfilment joining them might offer to students. From Environment Club to eSports, Public Speaking to Poetry Writing, Debating to Da Vinci Decathlon, there are a vast array of activities on offer for students in 2024. Engaging in these cocurricular opportunities is a great way for students to meet like minded people and build their friendship networks. I encourage all students to try out a new activity or club this year. Who knows, you might just find your next favourite passion!

All the key details about cocurricular clubs and activities can be found through Pulse.

Student Success: Otis Gait

At the end of January, Yr 8 student, Otis Gait had a great achievement and experience in playing for the New South Wales U13 Indoor State Hockey team at the recent Hockey Australia National Championships in Canberra. After some challenging injuries last year, Otis worked hard to recover and then train to achieve his best, and he has been able to have a successful and fulfilling year of hockey. He scored his debut goal in the Championships – an epic full field movement which saw him get past almost every opposition player – and his team managed to achieve a Bronze medal by the end of the competition. Well done, Otis!

Term 1 Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

  • Secondary School Photos: Wednesday 14 February
  • YSafe presentation: Thursday 15 February
  • Camp briefing: Thursday 15 February
  • Year 8 Camp (Yarriabini National Park): Monday 4 March to Friday 8 March

Secondary School Photo Dates 2024

  • 14 February: Individual portraits and sibling photos
  • 1 March: 10.10–11.05am, Redlands Learning Hub Level 2. Catch up opportunity for individual portraits and sibling photos
  • 15 March: Alternative opportunity for sibling photos on both campuses.
  • 5 June: Year Group photos

Schedule 14 February

7.15-8.15am: Secondary School Sibling Photos in Redlands Hall. To order Sibling Photos, please click here, enter the password ALLISTER and select Siblings Order Form before 8 February.

8.20am–12.00pm:  Individual portraits. Yr 7 to 12 students will go to Redlands Hall in classes to have their individual portrait photo taken. If your child is unable to have their portrait taken, or if they have an external appointment scheduled during the school day, please inform the Year Advisor.  

All students are required to be wearing their full school uniform, including blazers. Boys must be clean shaven with hair that has been cut so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Boys and girls with a hair length touching the collar is to be styled and tied-up neatly so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Hair is to be tied back with navy or hair coloured accessories. No hair dye, mullet style haircuts, make-up or nail polish is permitted. No jewellery is to be worn other than one pair of plain gold or silver studs in ear lobes.

If a student has a Redlands ID card issued in 2023, they should bring this to Redlands Hall.

Parent Online Safety Information Session (Via Zoom)

Thursday 15 February
6-7pm

This informative session provides relevant, positive, strategy-rich and practical content that help parents ignite conversations with their children about the online world and share the tools parents need to guide and support them.
Please register using this link.

A Zoom link to the online session will be emailed to those registered.

Mr Jimmy Tod-Hill
Year 8 Advisor
jtodhill@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6462