Year 8

Embracing Mindfulness

This week, we began a focus on mindfulness in our Tutor sessions. Mindfulness is the awareness that occurs when you focus on the present and on the purpose of what you are doing. Studies have proven that mindfulness has both physical and psychological benefits. Our hope in building students’ capacity for mindfulness is that it will help them better self-manage their attention and engagement in the classroom and hopefully also assist with harnessing their focus in their upcoming examinations.

To introduce the concept, students practised three key activities with their Tutor groups – mindful breathing, a mindful safari and guided imagery. We will continue to refine their knowledge and capacity for mindfulness, so that it can become another tool in our students’ arsenal.

Wishing Dr Rajeev all the Best

On Friday, Cowper Yellow bid farewell to their Tutor, Dr Rajeev, as she moves off to spend some time away from Redlands on maternity leave. Students were thankful for all the support she has offered them these past two years and wished her well for the new parenting adventure that awaits her. For the remainder of the year, Cowper Yellow’s new Tutor team will be Ms Karen Pittard and Mr Tony Callaghan.

It turns out that Dr Rajeev timed her departure well, as she was then to have her baby the very next day! Mother and child are both healthy, and we wish her all the best for a successful time away with her new baby and her family.

Leadership Induction Assembly

On Tuesday, the School officially acknowledged the transition of our Yr 11 cohort into Yr 12 and inducted the new student leadership team in an important formal assembly. Our new School Captains, Aneke and Liam, spoke to students about the importance of embracing the opportunities offered at Redlands to become their best selves, and encouraged them to make the most out of the term ahead. I hope students were inspired by seeing their new captains and I look forward to the day when we see them walking across the stage to embrace leadership roles within the School.

Debating with Industry Professionals

On Wednesday, two Yr 8 students, Gabby Thomas and Vivienne Matthews, debated in front of an audience of 100 tech industry professionals, leaders and teachers on the argument that cybersecurity poses a greater threat to digital users than AI. Led by Ms Bailey and coached by Jacqui Kernot (Security Director for Accenture), the girls researched and prepared their case. They were up against a strong team from SCECGS Darlinghurst and came out victorious, offering wonderful insights into the personal and economic impact of cyber attacks. 

A huge congratulations to Gabby and Vivienne for their outstanding work! Thank you to Ms Bailey and Ms Kernot for coordinating this opportunity for them.

Creative Writing Success

In Term 3, Roseby Library staff held a writing competition to celebrate Book Week. Students were required to write a response to a stimulus prompt for The Library of Lost Souls. Students needed to imagine a hidden library filled with books that contain forgotten spells and ancient secrets, and compose a tale about a young reader who accidentally unleashes one of these spells. What happens next, and how do they navigate the magical consequences?

Congratulations to Alexis Castan and Ada Grossman who both wrote enthralling pieces and were awarded certificates and received Dymocks book vouchers as prizes for their excellent work.

Double Double, Toil and Trouble

This week, Yr 8 English classes continued to move through their study of Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, with many engaging in small performances to draw out their understanding of how Shakespeare creates characters and constructs meaning through his stagecraft and language devices. The famous ‘double double, toil and trouble’ witches’ chant scene was a favourite for 8B as students watched several groups perform with interesting props for spell ingredients, a cauldron and, of course, (eclectic) witches’ hats.

Drama Showcase Event

Congratulations to all the Yr 8 Drama students who held a showcase last night on the Fahl Garden, presenting pieces they have been working on this term and last. It is always lovely to hear of the amazing talent we have in our cohort for the Arts and I look forward to seeing many of our Yr 8 go on to perform in further school productions! Thank you to all the Drama staff who helped to coordinate the event. Be sure to check this space next week for photos from the event!

Indigenous Literacy Foundation – Week 3 Events

Next week, on Friday 1 November, at lunchtime, Redlands is hosting the Great Book Swap for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The ILF are working with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver culturally appropriate books, meet their literacy needs (particularly of infants) and enable the production of books written by adults and children in the Communities, often in First Languages.

We are asking for your help to make this a great success! The idea is that on Wednesday each student will bring in a book and a gold coin donation. Then, on Friday, students will be able to enter the Great Book Swap and take a different book home with them to read and enjoy.

The book students bring in for the book swap needs to be:

  • in good condition (we want second-hand books but they shouldn’t be ruined)
  • age appropriate (for someone in Yrs 7 – 11)
  • fiction or non-fiction including graphic novels (but NOT a magazine or a subject textbook)
  • something interesting that another student in the school may like

Please help to remind your child to bring this book and a gold coin donation in next Wednesday (unfortunately, EFTPOS will not be available).

You may like to donate further to our Great Book Swap here.  

 

Examinations in Week 4

A reminder that students will commence their Yearly Examinations in Week 4. These examinations will be a good opportunity for students to test out the knowledge and skills they have learned in their courses of study. I wish students all the best with their study and preparation for these examinations and encourage them to reach out to their subject teachers for support and guidance, should they require it. Further information about examinations, including the Week 4 examination timetable, can be found on Pulse.

Smart Devices at Redlands

This term, Redlands adjusted its policy on the use of smart devices within the school environment. Acknowledging the research of experts such as Jonathan Haidt who states that “smartphones act as experience blockers. Once introduced into a child’s life, they diminish other forms of non-smartphone-based experiences, which are crucial for their developing brains” (‘The Anxious Generation’ 2024), the school has now established itself as a smart device free environment.

Smart devices, particularly smart phones, are no longer permitted in any setting while students are at school or engaged in school-related activities during Term 4. Smartphones are to remain in student lockers and students will not be permitted to have their smartphone on their person at any time during the school day. Full details can be found in Ms Van de Peer’s Term 4 welcome letter on Pulse.

Students have been rising to the occasion here and working well to curb their use of smart devices. I look forward to the cohort continuing to embrace this change and benefiting from their increased person to person interactions with one another.

Term 4 Key Dates and Upcoming Events

  • Year 8-11 Book Swap Assembly – Week 3: Tuesday 29 October
  • Indigenous Literacy Book Swap Event – Week 3: Friday 1 November
  • Year 8 Examinations – Week 4: Monday 4 November – Wednesday 6 November
  • Moonbah: Gearing for Growth evening – Week 6: Monday 18 November
  • Speech Night (and Term End) – Week 8: Wednesday 4 December

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