Year 7 & 8 News

As the year draws to a close, the 7/8 Team would like to take a moment to reflect on all we’ve achieved together. From camps, excursions and programmes to everyday classes, the year has been filled with growth, resilience and a strong sense of our school pillars. In this final newsletter of the year, we will celebrate achievements and look ahead to what’s in store for next year. Thank you for being such an integral part of our school journey.

Year Review

Looking back, it’s heart warming to remember how nervous our Year 7 students were as they began their high school journey—unsure of what to expect but ready to take the leap. Year 8 students returning to the learning community, who were trying to figure out their place in school as they transitioned into Year 8. Now, as they transition into Year 8 and 9, they go with newfound confidence and a deeper connection to their school community. It’s a reminder of how much growth and resilience can happen in just one year.

Before we knew it, we were taking 80 Year 7s on camp to Camp Coolamatong. For many students, this was the first or second time they had gone on a school camp. The Year 7s conducted themselves wonderfully and displayed the theme of resilience as they tackled the activities. 

‘Camp was fun, we did a lot of activities. If I had to pick a favourite it would have been playing Mork and taking a trip to Raymond Island. At Raymond Island, we took a walk through the Koala trail and had fish and chips for lunch. Mork was a game that we played on our first night, everyone had fun being chased around, and seeing the teachers dress up in costume and chase us around was funny. Camp was awesome.’

-Isabella-Rose Williams

Throughout the year, 7/8 students have represented the school in several events including SRC, Sport, KAAP, Arts & Technology, including Kurnai's Got Talent, Tech School Excursions and school wide fundraising events such as pyjama and sports colour days. It has been a privilege to see the youngest members of our learning community be so active. 

A highlight for Year 8s was definitely the camp to Karoonda Park.

‘Year 8 camp was extremely fun all the meals and activities were great, but my favourite activities were the white-water rafting and the horse riding. During the horse riding we were given a horse to ride and had to follow the staff at the camp through paths, the horses were amazing and kind. The white-water rafting was an all-day activity, we got to do battels, spin and go through a few rapids. Camp was a lot of fun and there was a lot of activities, one that stood out to me a lot was the dingo hill hike. The hike involved each group to navigate their way to the top using a compass, once at the top the view was astonishing. Some students were able to plant two trees for regrowing the nature after the fire a few years ago. Camp was an amazing experience.’

-Kara Phillips and Calin Macdonald

Live4Life

This term, Year 8s have completed the Live4Life curriculum. Live4Life communities deliver Teen and accredited Youth Mental Health First Aid training in schools and the wider community, create local partnerships to lead conversations about mental health that reduce stigma, and promote young leaders as mental health ambassadors. 

Kurnai Positive Acknowledgements (KPAs)

This year students in 7/8 have received 32,410 KPAs, a record-breaking amount, for demonstrating our school pillars of Work Ethic, Engagement, Relationships and Excellence. This is 32,410 moments a teacher has recognised brilliance in a classroom. The top KPA earners will be awarded at the College Awards later in a few weeks.

Head Start

Head Start begins Monday the 2nd of December. This is when students move into their new year levels. For all year levels, this means a new space, team leader and possibly new form group. Students will have an assembly at the start of Head Start and receive their timetables. 

2025 Changes

Next year, there will be changes to the way Year 7 and 8 operate. Previously, 7/8 has ran as a sub-school, with Daniel Murphy as Assistant Principal and Team Leader, and Assistant Team Leaders working alongside to support and manage the two-year levels. Due to an ever-growing school, from 2025, years 7 and 8 will operate as stand-alone Year levels with their own Leading Teacher as the Team Leader and the Assistant Principal Role will work across all year levels. 

Late last term, leadership appointments were made across the college for this change. we are pleased to announce Daniel Murphy was successfully appointed as Campus Assistant Principal. Pat McGrath, who has previously been working as a Learning Specialist, was appointed substantive as a Leading Teacher and will look after Year 7. Additionally, Jeff Derkacks was successful in obtaining a HDA as a Leading Teacher at Year 8. 

The current Assistant Team Leaders, Sarah Lewis and Anna McGregor were also successfully appointed to Leadership positions, however, will be taking their expertise to Churchill Campus. Sarah has been appointed as a Leading Teacher, looking after Year 8, and Anna has been appointed as a Learning Specialist and will contribute greatly to the Teaching & Learning at Kurnai. The 7/8 Team would like to thank them for their dedication to the Assistant Team Leader role. 

Support 

For students entering Year 8, please contact Jeff Derkacks jeff.derkacs2@education.vic.gov.au

For students entering Year 9, please contact Ross Johnson ross.johnson@kurnaicollege.vic.edu.au

Or alternatively, you can continue to contact Daniel Murphy daniel.murphy3@education.vic.gov.au

Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season and a well-earned break.