Year 8

The Musical – ‘Omigod, omigod you Guys!’

‘Omigod you guys’, it has been an exciting week in the lead-up to a well-earned Easter Long Weekend. Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday the Secondary School put on a spectacular production of Legally Blonde. If you, like me, were fortunate enough to see the show you would know it was funny, uplifting, thoughtful and a fantastic display of Redlands talent in music, acting, singing, dancing and managing large scale performances.

The time and effort that goes into making such productions come to life is extreme, so a huge thank you to all the staff who supported students across the months and months of preparation and a massive congratulations to all the students involved, particularly those in our Year 8 cohort: Angus Baird, Leo Campbell, Phoebe Dawson-Damer, Sienna de Saxe, Emma Foley, Joshua Freer, Anabelle Kendrigan, Matthew Krapovnitskiy, Ady Lee, Clem Leroux, Amelia Rudland, Phoebe Sun, Elliot Taylor, Astrid Vincent, Mackenzie Willis.

If you missed it this year, please get out there to see next year’s Musical. You will not be disappointed!

This Week

This week opened with a Chapel service on Monday and a Yr 7 and 8 Easter Assembly on Tuesday based around the Easter message. In Chapel we were treated to some lovely singing from our Yr 8 choristers and a thoughtful sermon from our Chaplain, Ms Phillips, about the importance of thinking not just about chocolate during Easter but being thankful for what we are given by others and embracing values of care and compassion for those around us. On Tuesday, this sentiment was reaffirmed with a powerful account of the central Christian story of Easter and Jesus’ sacrifice for humankind. No matter what faith students hold to or even if they do not follow a religion, it was an engaging reflection on the importance of love and care for others. It was also underlined by a wonderful, haunting performance from Clementine Roumanoff on the French horn!

It has been a busy term so far and with two more busy weeks to go, I want to wish everyone a lovely and restful Easter break. I hope you are able to spend some quality time relaxing with family and friends, enjoying sharing some chocolate eggs or going to a church service or doing whatever it is that brings you and your family closer together. Have a wonderful long weekend!

Halogen National Leadership Day

On Monday, a range of student leaders represented Redlands at the Halogen National Leadership Day. Several of our Yr 8 SRC representatives – Charlie Lee, Lily Musgrave-Kresa and Kate Rintoul – attended the event and benefitted from the engaging conversations and presentations offered around how our leadership style impacts others and reflects who we are as people.

Halogen asks of students the central question “what does it means to lead well?” Their website clarifies their mission as:

“What does it mean to lead well? We have been asking leaders this question for some time now. How we lead ourselves and others in any kind of situation reveals a large part of who we are as people. Who our leaders are as people (whether they be prime ministers, parents or prefects), determines the size and shape of the home, school, country and world we live in. Questions about HOW and WHY we influence the people around us are what drives Halogen.”

This event was a valuable one, designed to benefit students interested in developing their leadership potential and offering great space for personal growth.

Students engaged with a range of presentations across the day, prompting them to consider the following:

  • What leadership means to you?
  • Your strengths and areas for growth in leadership.
  • The impact you hope to make through leadership, both personally and in the community.
  • How you can use your background, perspective, and talents to contribute effectively to a leadership role.
  • Challenges you anticipate encountering as a leader.

2024 Secondary School Cross Country Carnival

Today, despite the morning rain, Yr 8 strapped on their joggers and pushed themselves physically and mentally to run through the Cross Country Carnival. There were many smiles and some grimaces but it was a positive experience that brought the cohort together. I was really pleased to see some of our Yr 8s step up and support and encourage the younger Yr 7 cohort.

Cross Country

Well done to everyone who competed! Congratulations especially to our winners: Jamie Rogerson U13 girls winner; Natalie Bain U14 girls runner up and Liv Law U14 girls winner; Alex Taylor U14 boys runner up and Tristan Fournier Le Ray U14 boys winner.

English Writing Competitions

There are some exciting opportunities for eager students to flex their writing muscles this term and next with the following writing competitions now open for submissions from students in Yrs 7-12:

We encourage all students to have a go at crafting a piece of writing. Whether it is based on work they have done in their English class or something they have composed out of their own interest, writing a piece that is judged externally is a great way to gain validation for effort and skill.

For more details, please visit the websites above or contact Dr Phoebe Poon (Redlands High Potential Learning Coordinator) at ppoon@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Term 1 Key Dates and Upcoming Events

  • Easter Long Weekend: Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April
  • Term 1 concludes: Friday 12 April

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