Year 8

Achievements

Congratulations to the following students who represented Redlands at the CIS Athletics Carnival this week: Rex Brook, Charles Henderson, Ruby Kelly, Emmi McDonald, Lauren Smith, Olivia Stonley, Lockie Taylor and Olivia Vigneault.

Youth Leading the World (YLTW)

Students in Yr 8 are invited to participate in OzGREEN’s Youth Leading the World inspiring annual youth sustainability congress on 26 and 27 November. This year the North Sydney congress will be part of a global YLTW focus week and connect with other congresses in Asia and the Americas. Now in its sixth year at North Sydney, non-profit organisation OzGREEN runs the congress in cooperation with North Sydney Council. The congress aims to inform and inspire high school students to actively work on making their families, schools and communities more sustainable. Students will engage in all 4Cs – Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication. YLTW provides an opportunity for students to step up and show leadership on issues they are passionate about.

2 day Congress: 26 and 27 November, 9.00am – 3.30pm;
AND Community Forum (one week later): 3 December, 6.00-8.00pm
Location: The Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability, Waverton
Some congress hours and ongoing work on resulting project can count towards volunteering requirements for Duke of Ed.

Students seeking more information on this event should email Ms Shorter and express their interest in participating.

Yr 8 Yearly Examinations

In the lead up to formal examinations, some parents may be seeking strategies and resources to assist their child in coping with stress and mitigating procrastination. Redlands subscribes to Dr Prue Salter’s website which has numerous resources available to assist students with study and examinations. It is very normal for students to feel “stressed” in the lead up to exams. I let our students know that this is a normal reaction and it shows that they care and are invested in the process. However, if your child is not able to manage this stress and they are experiencing anxiety, or adverse symptoms such as sleeplessness or diminished appetite, please be in touch so that we can assist with providing the appropriate support.

With regards to addressing stress, Dr Salter suggests the following strategy

FACE YOUR FEARS
Look for and recognise the causes and symptoms. Write down all the things that are troubling you or bothering you.
SPLIT YOUR LIST IN TWO
Look at your list. Some of the things you can change and do something about, others you can’t.
TAKE ACTION
If there are actions you can take to help reduce the stressful situation, make a decision to take them! Decide to do something positive about your stress – you are in control.

Procrastination is something that can be an issue for students and parents alike. Many students struggle to get started on a task, be that an assessment or an assignment or study. Some students find that setting targets of work to do and rewarding themselves for these targets can be helpful. Dr Salter provides a module on combatting procrastination on her website.

Parents and students can access the Study Skills Handbook at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au

Uniform

Over the holiday period, please could I ask for your support to check your son or daughter’s hem length. Trousers should be hemmed so that that the hemline falls halfway down the back of the shoe and dress length should be at the middle of the knee as a guideline.

Key Dates

First Day of Term 4: Monday 15 October
Yr 8 Examinations: Term 4, Week 3

Happy Holidays

Best wishes to all Yr 8 students and families for a safe and happy mid-Semester break. Students are encouraged to find time for family, study, exercise and friends over the two week period.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 6462