Year 8

Yr 8 Science Symposium

During their Science classes, students have been carrying out their SRP (Student Research Project) and gained first-hand, the work of scientists: curiosity leading to a question, which is then tested, data collected and analysed, and finally conclusions; bringing students closer to an answer.  This is the problem-solving nature of Science.

All the group projects were displayed in Redlands Hall and the best in each class judged by a panel of guest judges: Mr Jon Gray (Assistant Head of Science), Ms Lisa Vale (Yr 8 Coordinator), Mr Peter Ireland (Yr 7 parent representative), Ms Alana Wylie (Eye Heart Science igniting young minds to think Founder), Dr Gabriel Chircu (Maths teacher) and Ms Wendy Duckworth (e-Learning Coordinator).

The judges commented on how impressed they were with the projects, and how passionately students talked about their work. Congratulations to the following winners:

Communication – Up, up and up – a reaction between vinegar and baking soda by Charlotte Harman, Eva Crewes and Olivia Stonely

Scientific Methodology – Bubble Trouble by Audra Olsen, Elizabeth Holtheuer and Sophia Maxwell

Originality – Tubular Velocity by Aarav Kumar, Izaac Nisbet and Thomas Taylor

Overall winner – Salt plop, Temperature drop by Sophie McMillan, Ella Morris and Elina Filatova

Technology

Over the last semester, Yr 8 have been working on their Drone City Project. 8(Y) Technology put the finishing touches on the Yr 8 Drone City, placing a road network around the city. The final component of the Drone City Project involved each Yr 8 class, placing their designated area’s models which they designed back in Term 2, such as the city centre, parks and recreations, apartment living, airports and schools on the map. This week, students had the exciting task of programming Parrot Mambo Mini Drones to fly from their classes designated area to another area chosen by their teacher using Swift Playgrounds on the Apple iPad’s. 

Debating Announcement from Mrs Simone Bryant

Have you considered participating in Debating? 

Redlands competes in the FED and ISDA competitions in Semester 1. Expressions of interest are now open for Yrs 7-10 for the 2019 season. Debating and public speaking helps to develop confidence, respect for others and a sense of timing and structure. Students will also hone their ability to present persuasive arguments and increase their knowledge of current affairs topics. Redlands aims to foster an inclusive culture in our Debating program that supports all students to develop their skills in debating. More about our program is available in the About Debating and the Debating Expectations section of Redlands Pulse. Competitive Debating enables students to qualify for Pockets, Half Colours and Full Colours. More information about these awards are in the Student Planner.

You may also choose to be part of Debating Club for additional coaching and social Debating. 

Please register your interest in the trials to be held after school on Friday 1 February  2019 here.

If you would like more information, please speak to your Debating Captain, Ela Kos, or the Debating Coordinator, Mrs Simone Bryant, in the Science staffroom.

Thank You to Our Yr 8 Secondary School Parent Contact Group

The parents, staff and students of Redlands would like to say thank you to Nancie Gibbs, Pauline (Tiki) Blake, Heidi Field and Fran McGourty for their contribution to the Redlands community in representing the parents of Yr 8 in 2018.

If anyone would like to assist or be a member of the Secondary School Parent Contact Group in 2019 for Yr 9, please email carys.stuart@bigpond.com for further information.

Speech Night

Next Wednesday, we will join together to recognise students’ achievements at the Redlands Secondary School Speech Night, at the Big Top, Luna Park. Please can I ask for your support and request that you reiterate our expectations for behaviour at this important formal event. I have spoken with students and I have reminded them that they must be appropriately presented for the event. Students are advised to be attentive, to refrain from chatting and of course, not use mobile telephones during the event. Thank you for your support to ensure that students behave appropriately so that we can properly celebrate the achievements of our exceptional Yr 8 cohort.

As the year draws to a close, Ms Mountain and I would like to wish our Yr 8 students and their families a very Merry Christmas. Our Yr 8 students have had a wonderful year, and they are to be commended on their many achievements. They should be exceptionally proud of their academic reports and gauge their progress across many disciplines. The year has flown by, and it almost feels surreal that we will be welcoming students back as the new Redlands Yr 9 cohort.

On a personal note, I wish to thank both students and parents for all their support throughout this very eventful year. It has been an absolute privilege to have been both the Assistant and then later in the year, Year Advisor, to one of the most incredible Year Groups at Redlands. As we quickly move into the new year, I wish Ms Rebecca Mountain and Mr Tony Dong the very best as they take on the leadership roles for the cohort. As I take leave and spend this valuable time with my family travelling around Australia, Yr 8 will very much be in my thoughts, and I look forward to hearing of their many successes on my return in 2020.

Merry Christmas and have a safe and wonderful New Year!

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