Year 9

Yearly Examination Success

Well done to all of Yr 9 for completing their Yearly Examinations. I was impressed with how our students handled their exams throughout a busy week of back to back exams. As mentioned in last week’s Note Day, please remind your child that there will be highs and lows when receiving their Yearly Exams back and that any mistakes made in their examinations should be seen as an opportunity for improvement.

A big thank you to Lisa Ole, Saralie Pincini and all the Parent Volunteers for looking after our Yr 9 students who needed special provisions throughout the week.

BurnBright

On Wednesday, Yr 9 participated in the BurnBright Incursion. The boys attended the ‘Ignite’ session and the girls attended the ‘Spark’ session before coming together as a cohort at the end of the day. Students enjoyed a range of sessions which focused on the following topics:

Building Genuine Relationships
What’s Holding You Back?
How A Mindset Can Decide The Future
Our Values And Our Foundations
We All Have A Story
The Power Of Words
Have A Goal
It’s Okay To Make Mistakes
Having Fun Along The Journey

It was so pleasing to see the maturity Yr 9 conveyed when participating in the many activities on the day and to see the cohort come together and talk so openly and honestly with each other. A key takeaway for Ms Martin and I was observing how our Yr 9 students positively interacted with each other outside of their friendship circles and removed all judgment of each other when undertaking the activities. Core values such as honesty and respect were highlighted by each student throughout the day.

Insights from our Yr 9 boys ‘Ignite’ session:
“One of the key messages I took away was don’t hold back, be brave and respect your friends.” Awanui Currie

“I have learnt that there are many things that keep us from doing what we really want. A positive mindset and attitude are all it takes.” Oscar Whatmough

“The line game activity allowed me to gain a better perspective of not just my morals but the other boys in the Year Group’s morals and overall I reckon that we have built a better connection with our friends and with the boys in our Year Group by attending the BurnBright day.” Patrick Walker

“The line game helped me understand the struggles that some of the boys in our year experience. I now know what I can do to support these boys.” Sam Chubb

Insights from our Year 9 girls ‘Spark’ session:
“After the morning ‘Spark’ session, I felt a lot more connected and I feel like I now know a lot more about my peers around me. The biggest thing I took away is that you’re never alone; everyone goes through the same things and there’s always someone to talk to.” Maya Little

“The ‘Spark’ sessions provided a great opportunity to be true to yourself but also to find out more things about yourself and others; in particular, how they are feeling and what they share and don’t share with others.” Livia-Marie Feller

“Being a new student, ‘Spark’ gave me the chance to see the things that I have in common with other people. It made it so much easier for me to be able to go up and talk with people in the Year Group and connect with new people.” Madeleine Boris

“It was so cool to learn that you can talk to people that you don’t always talk to.” Lilly Attard

Midawarr Camp

Earlier this week, all Yr 9 parents were emailed information regarding next week’s exciting Midawarr Yr 9 Camp incursion from Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 November at the Redlands Senior Campus.

Below are some key reminders for the Yr 9 Midawarr camp:

On the first day of camp on Tuesday 17 November, students are required to arrive at school at the normal time.
Yr 9 students are to wear sports uniform for the duration of the camp.
Yr 9 students involved in the Music Ensemble Recording Project on Tuesday will be required to bring with them their full school uniform including school blazer to get changed into for the recording.
There will be no Music tuition lessons from Tuesday – Friday
On Wednesday and Friday, we are asking that students arrive by 7.50am if possible in order to provide an opportunity to reflect on the learning from the previous day and prepare for the day ahead.
On Thursday there will be an Art activity beginning at 7.20am which students are encouraged to attend.
Each day of the camp will end at 3.20pm, except Thursday, when students will attend their regular Summer Sport training.
All Sport training sessions will continue as normal throughout the week.
Students will have normal recess and lunch at school, including Canteen access.

The following equipment is needed for the camp:

Pens and pencils in a pencil case
A small round point paintbrush eg. from a discount store
A journal or notepad to write reflections
A bandanna, cloth or eye mask

It is hoped that the Midawarr camp will encourage students to learn about Australia’s Indigenous culture both through experience and thoughtful reflection. The Camp is sure to be a unique and memorable experience for the entire Yr 9 cohort.

Mr Nicholas Walker
Acting Yr 9 Advisor
nwalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133