Year 8

Week 6 – If You Can be Anything, Be Kind

This week, I spoke to our cohort about how we can make the most out of our final two weeks of term and really focus on being our best selves as we close out the year. While examinations have finished, students still have valuable feedback to receive, process and to learn from in preparation for Year 9. I encouraged students to: ‘be present’ in feedback lessons, so they are focused on absorbing the valuable advice on personal areas for improvement; ‘be mindful’ so that they are able to process this effectively, without distraction; and ‘engage in forward-thinking’, so they can reflect on how they might apply this to future situations in Yr 9. Above all, I also emphasised my hope that students focus on being kind to each other; kind to their teachers and coaches; and kind to themselves, should they receive a mark lower than anticipated in their examination results. If we can maintain this kindness disposition, then we can embrace the holidays with positivity.

In line with this theme, I reminded students of our annual Tutor awards, where students have the opportunity to nominate individuals in their Tutor group who have stood out for embodying Redlands values. The specific awards students will vote for are:

The Little Ray of Sunshine: A student who has demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, positivity and support for members of their Tutor group.
Kindness and Respect Ambassador: A student who has consistently modelled respect, empathy and kindness towards their peers and in the Redlands community.
Team Player Trophy: A student who has consistently displayed excellent teamwork skills, collaboration with and support for their peers in Tutor group activities.
The CEO (Coordinated, Efficient and Organised): A student who has consistently brought all their resources to Tutor, had their planner signed and used it well, and been on top of all their various school commitments.
Best Dressed: A student whose uniform and general appearance has been impeccable over the year.
Ultimate Achievement: A student who has achieved something exceptional (internal or external to the school) over the year.

Tutors will also each select a student to achieve the Tutor’s Choice award, designed to commend a student in whom they have seen excellent personal growth.

We will acknowledge and celebrate the students who win these awards in our final Year Assembly in Week 8.

Share the Dignity Christmas Drive

On Tuesday, our cohort were visited by Yr 11 students who were helping to promote this year’s Christmas Appeal, aimed at supporting Share the Dignity. Share the Dignity is a women’s charity in Australia that works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness or doing it tough.

Tutor groups will be working together to bring in items and then produce a bag of essential goods that can go to an adult, teen or mum and bub, to help someone in need for Christmas. In line with our service focus this semester, this initiative will give students another opportunity to think beyond themselves and work towards helping people in need. Remember, student contributions need to be in by Tuesday!

Moonbah Gearing up for Growth Information Evening

On Monday night we held an informative evening to provide students and parents with key information about the Moonbah 2025 program. There was a positive vibe in Redlands Hall and then in the Learning Hub as families moved between presenters to learn more about the program. It was enjoyable speaking to students and parents, and hearing their enthusiasm for all that their term away next year will hold. Thank you to all of the presenters for taking time out of their evening to communicate with the cohort.

You can access all the PowerPoint presentations and detailed information regarding the Learning Program Core and Elective Units on the Year 9 Moonbah page on Pulse.

If you have any questions, which have not been answers in the Moonbah FAW, please direct them to highcountry@redlands.nsw.edu.au

The Scottish Play comes to Life

Having sat their English examination this year on Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’, Yr 8 are now enjoying having the time to engage with the play by performing key scenes from the play before working on a project to create a modern adaptation of their key scene. Students from 8B enjoyed getting out onto the Fahl Garden to perform key scenes in the traditional fashion, before getting down to developing concepts for a modern ‘Macbeth’ and then writing modern scripts to fit their scene. Next week, students will be filming their scripts to create engaging modern adaptation videos. Whether it be altering ‘Macbeth’ to become the story of a jealous F1 driver and his race sabotage; using the play to comment on contemporary American politics (Trump); or transforming the play into an homage to Dance Mums, a range of creative ideas are being developed. I look forward to seeing the final videos produced!

Rock in the Quad

On Tuesday, the school was overtaken by the melodious sounds of students ‘rocking out’ over recess and lunchtime at Rock in the Quad. Whilst the weather disturbed the ‘in the quad’ element at recess, the sky managed to clear up for the lunchtime session for all the school to hear, enjoy and mosh to some rockin’ beats!

Congratulations to all the Yr 8s who were involved in rock bands this year and well done on their stage presence and energetic performances, showcasing a year’s worth of contemporary musical collaboration.

Speech Night

The Redlands 141st Secondary School Speech Night is fast approaching on Wednesday 4 December. The evening is a wonderful celebration of all our students’ achievements this year. Please make sure you view Pulse for all the relevant details.

The Redlands Christmas Bougainvillea Showcase!

The school is encouraging all Secondary School students to join forces in spreading the joy of Christmas and connecting with the community by participating in the Redlands Christmas Bougainvillea Showcase on Thursday, November 28th, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Bougainvillea Retirement Village.

This annual event offers students from Years 7 to 12 the opportunity to bring holiday cheer to the residents through musical performances which could involve singing, acting or dancing. It is a wonderful way to give back, make meaningful connections, and celebrate the spirit of Christmas together. Students interested in taking part in this memorable event can sign up by clicking HERE.

Term 4 Key Dates and Upcoming Events

Speech Night (and Term End) – Week 8: Wednesday 4 December

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