Year 8

Oh Captains, my Captains

What an exciting week it has been at Redlands – one of transitions, nostalgia and final moments, as we begin to farewell our current Yr 12 cohort. On Friday, the first big transition occurred with the announcement of our new student leadership team. As became school tradition a couple of years ago, the School gathered in the Liggins Quad to see the new captains being dramatically revealed. The old school bell was rung to bring in the ceremony and many voices cheered, and hands clapped as we learned the identities of the leadership team that will take us through the rest of the year and across 2025. Many of our Yr 8s looked on, no doubt wondering if one day they would be standing there, in front of the School, ready to leave their mark on Redlands history.

Congratulations to all our new leaders but particularly to our House captains and portfolio leaders; we look forward to seeing you lead the school with confidence, compassion and kindness.

House Captains:

Portfolios:

Teacher Gratitude – Lessons in Service

Every now and then something really special happens that leaves you with a warm feeling inside and makes you all that bit happier to be at Redlands. On Monday, this appeared through the altruistic actions of the Cowper House girls who came to school bearing endless trays of cakes, cookies, muffins and slices.

As part of our focus on service this term, the girls joined forces and decided to bake a huge array of treats to hand out to teachers across the School, as a demonstration of gratitude for all their teachers have done and continue to do for them. Under the faithful guidance of Ms Wang, they were able to deliver their baked goods to all areas of School, moving from the cleaners and support staff to teacher staffrooms all the way to the Head of School’s office. Their enthusiasm permeated the entire campus! It was such a kind-hearted and generous action, and it really made many of our days!

In their own words, the girls expressed:

We just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your dedication and hard work. As part of Teacher Appreciation Day, we brought in baked goods as a small way to show our gratitude for everything you do. The care and effort you put into teaching us every day truly makes a difference in our lives. We wanted to give back in a sweet way and remind you that your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. The baked treats are just a small token of our appreciation for your patience, kindness, and the way you make learning enjoyable. Thank you again for everything you do for us!

(Vivienne Matthews, on behalf of all the girls in Cowper House)

A huge thank you to all the Yr 8 Cowper girls involved: Michelle Byron, Freya Carrol, Rose Collyer, Jenna Condous, Phoebe Dawson-Damer, Audrey Kwok, Clemence Leroux, Alba Martin-Gomez, Kate Rintoul, Olivia Smith, Sophie Thassim, Deanna Tulsiani, Elisabella Ty, Amelie Wichgers, Ariella Wold, Sarah Yates and Vivienne Matthews. 

Thank you also to parents and carers for any help provided in the baking process. Thank you to our Cowper Tutors for encouraging and supporting this initiative. And thank you to Ms Wang for taking the students around the school to make sure all staff were able to have their day brightened by these lovely treats!

Final Student Leader Assembly

On Monday, our Yr 12 student leaders led their final Stage 4 Assembly. It was an emotional affair as our wonderful leaders shared their experiences of moving through secondary school at Redlands, encouraging students to appreciate the opportunities they have within the School and urging them to embrace all the School has to offer to find their true passions and, as their motto has been all year, to ‘step beyond’.

A new award, recognising those who have ‘stepped beyond’ in the sporting world of Redlands, was created by our Sport captains, Alfie and Eva, and its inaugural awarding went to Freja Nixey for her excellent involvement in Basketball, including being on the Firsts as a Yr 8 student. Well done, Freja!

Congratulations also to our Yr 8 Tutor, Ms Busch, who received a teacher ‘step beyond’ award during this assembly, for her excellent support of students across the School.

And the House Debating Victory goes to…

They said it couldn’t be done. Winning House Debating two years in a row! Surely not? It’s never ever been done before! (Note, I have not fact checked this, but it makes it sound dramatic, doesn’t it?)

Well, the History books were well-inked on Wednesday, as McDouall, veterans of last year’s House Debate final, faced off against newcomers, Dumolo.

It was an epic affair as the teams contested valiantly to explore the topic that in NSW parents should NOT have the right to withdraw their children from school education on sexuality and respectful relationships. MacDouall were affirming, while Dumolo negated. Many thoughtful arguments were offered but, in the end, the veterans were that bit more convincing, with MacDouall once again claiming the victory.

Well done to everyone who participated and a huge congratulations to the MacDouall team: Alexis Castan, Felix Davis, Aimee Kang, Cooper Price and Lily van Hulsen.

ISA Athletics

On Tuesday, the ISA Athletics carnival was held with strong representation from a variety of Redlands students. Congratulations to all those students who participated and particularly to the following Yr 8 students who achieved some excellent results and have also qualified for CAS!

• Lily Musgrave-Kresa: 2nd place in the 14 years girls High Jump (1.30m)
• Ari Abe-Apostolou F40: 1^st place – Shot Put Para Athlete (3.60m) and 1^st place – Discus Para Athlete (8.18m)

Term 3 Key Dates and Upcoming Events

• End of Term 3 – Week 10: Thursday 26 September

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