Year 8

STEAM

“On Tuesday and Friday of Week 5, the Yr 8 cohort participated in two days of learning about sustainability in a program called STEAM, which encompassed Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. My group consisted of Amber Williams, Emily Gray, Charlotte Harman, Nikola Barac and myself. We created an app called Eco Race, encouraging people to be more eco-friendly. It consisted of daily, weekly and monthly challenges. In the app, you can compete against friends and family to complete challenges. The prize for winning the challenges is coupons that can be redeemed to buy water bottles, mugs and active wear, all of which are eco-friendly. As Yr 8 researched about sustainability, we came up with innovative solutions for problems like over-fishing, climate change and coral bleaching. Yr 8 had a fun learning journey, which resulted in showcasing our solutions to Yr 7. Overall, STEAM was a beneficial chance to learn about sustainability and how we can help the environment.” Oliver Sigaloff, winning STEAM team member.

Promise me a Rainbow in the Sea
Ms Rachel Wilson (English teacher, Redlands)

You can’t promise me a rainbow in the sea, with
Oceans warming, Whales beaching
Fish dying, Coral bleaching
This problem is for my generation – For yours
This problem tugs at my foundation – Ours

Our desire for progress has consumed us
Our need for achievement has fuelled us
And while the future loomed we became entombed
In our own self-righteousness and desire for a better life,
A richer one,

All the while the
Oceans warming, Whales beaching
Fish dying, Coral bleaching
This problem ignored by my generation – By yours
This problem destroying my foundation – Ours

The ongoing promotion
Of our devotion
To overfish the ocean
Has led to an explosion
And we cannot ignore it any longer
Let it linger – Make us hunger,
We cannot pretend it is not here, not real, not present,
not now

Despite knowing the
Oceans warming, Whales beaching
Fish dying, Coral bleaching
This problem unsolved by my generation – By yours
This problem undermining my foundation – Ours

We sit in our air-conditioned homes,
Drive our diesel people movers,
Buy our takeaway soy mocha Frappuccino,
Not caring that a straw does not belong in a turtle’s nose,
A cup does not belong in the belly of a whale,
A shark does not belong in the nets of fishermen,

And yet still the
Oceans warming, Whales beaching
Fish dying, Coral bleaching
This problem magnified by my generation – By yours
This problem erasing my foundation – Ours

And yet – no one makes a commotion
Or starts a global motion
There is a lack of emotion.
So what suffers – the ocean,

Until we realise that the
Oceans warming, Whales beaching
Fish dying, Coral bleaching
The solution comes from my generation – From yours
The solution, the foundation of the future – Ours

Once Noah saw a rainbow – a promise from above
And with hope for a bright future – sent out a single dove.
So now it is up to you to create a rainbow in the sea
To help our oceans, our coral, again be a thing of beauty.

I know, with you, the future isn’t bleak,
bleached white. You see
For you, my doves, are the promise of a
rainbow in the sea.

Important Dates

Yr 8 Luna Park Maths excursion – Monday 26 November. Using resources prepared by the Mathematical Association of NSW, students will engage in the processes of working mathematically whilst enjoying a great day of fun. Students have permission to wear their Sports uniform to school.

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