Year 8

Achievements

Congratulations to the following students for the following achievements – 

  • Most Valuable Player Award for their achievements in the Schools Debating Network Competition: Amelie Heard – Yr 8 for SDN Juniors trophy; and Callum Wardman-Browne
  • UNSW Global Certificates for achievements in ICAS Science (Distinction): Eden Borrie, Amelie Heard, Sophia Maxwell, Lauren Zhang
  • ISA Representative Player Certificate for Hockey – 16 Years and Under – Sophie McMillan
Approaches to Learning

Our focus of Pastoral Care this week has been on the one-on-one conversations between the student and their Tutor to discuss their Approaches to Learning grades from Term 3 (diligence engagement and behaviour), and to set academic learning goals as students begin their Term 4 studies. As always, these conversations are designed to provide the necessary support and enhance student learning, to focus positively on each student’s progress and performance, and to enable a positive mindset. Please do take the time to discuss with your child their approaches to learning grades, as always, the connection between home and school fosters a positive learning approach.

Yr 8 Yearly Examinations

The Yearly Examination timetable was submitted last term, and exams begin Week 3. Parents and students can access the Study Skills Handbook – Login: redlands; Password: 68results

Study Skills Tip for October from Dr Prue Salter – Preparing for Blocks of Exams

For many students, a block of examinations can be daunting. Some students have no idea where to start and what they should work on. The first thing to do if you have examinations approaching in the next few months is to find out what topics will be tested. Even a simple question to teachers can get you started such as ‘are we being tested on the whole year’s work or just this semester?’. Once you know what topics will be covered, organise all of your learning materials and make sure nothing is missing and you have everything you need to review those topics. The next step is to make study notes on these topics if you haven’t been doing this throughout the year (hopefully you have!). You can visit the Summarising unit on the Study Skills Handbook to learn more about making effective study notes. Next it is time to start learning the notes (testing yourself on them over and over) and doing practice questions to make sure you can apply your knowledge to different types of questions. The Active Studying unit will give you lots of ideas on different study techniques to help you achieve your personal academic best.

If you have a number of weeks prior to the examinations, it is a good idea to make a plan in your diary or phone or on a whiteboard of what subjects you will study when. Try and allocate each subject once or twice each week, depending on the number of examinations you have. The Preparing for Exam Blocks unit explains in more detail how you put together a study plan for exams.

Uniform

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.

Announcements

Friday 26 October – CanTeen Bandanna Day. Bandannas will be available for purchase from Monday 22 to Friday 29 October for $5 at the front and back entrances before school, during recess and at lunch. Bandannas can be worn on Friday 26 October to show your support and all funds raised will go to CanTeen, an Australian organisation for young people affected by cancer. CanTeen helps young people cope with cancer in their family. Through CanTeen, they learn to explore and deal with their feelings about cancer, connect with other young people in the same boat and – if they’ve been diagnosed CanTeen provide specialist youth -specific treatment teams.

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