Year 8 News

Welcome!

The Year 8 Team would like to welcome the Year 8 learning community to 2026! For the first time in many years, Year 8 has five form groups, it is exciting to see this growth as year 8 is a year of just that, as many students continue to find their voice, interests, new classes and experience more of high school life. I have spent the first few weeks getting to know students and some families and I am pleased to say students have settled into their second year of high school well. I look forward to working with and supporting our Year 8 learning community. 

Year 8 Team

Sarah Lewis: Leading Teacher – Year 8 Team Leader 

Anna McGregor: Learning Specialist 

Robin Fitzpatrick: Advocate 

Stephanie Barfoot 

John Desouza-Daw

Alicia Thompson

Tarna Russell

Jane Webster

Chris Flake

Collins Ashiono

We are also lucky enough to have our tutors within the team this year; York Yu, Sophie Allford and Ryan Johnson. 

Around the Classrooms

As mentioned, students have begun new topics with a new term and it has been great to see students’ resilience, work ethic and engagement in their learning so far this term. 

English

New in 2026, Year 8 students will have four hours of English per week. This gives students the opportunity to deepen their understanding and skills across the English Curriculum. In Term 1, students have started their persuasive unit – analysing and creating texts around the theme of technology.

Maths

At Year 8, math classes are streamed to allow for students to be met at and supported at their level. Classes are consistently monitored and fluid as students build their skills. In Term 1, students are working through integers, indices and Pythagoras theorem.

Science

The Term 1 unit of study in science is Geology. Students learn about the earth and its geological make up, as well as participating in several practical classes.

Humanities

In Humanities, students will learn about Geography – at the moment they are looking at liveability and different factors that influence this. 

Physical Education and Health

In PE this term, Year 8s will learn skills of and participate in a few sports, including volleyball. In health, they will focus on nutrition.

Resilience and Relationships 

After a successful 2025 launch, Resilience and Relationships will continue this year. During this class, we have opportunities to meet as a year level for assemblies, celebrations and team building, and complete The Resilience Project program. 

Intervention Classes

At Year 8, we are lucky enough to have several school wide intervention classes running that support students in the areas of literacy, numeracy and social skills. These classes are at students’ current levels and are smaller class sizes. This allows for additional support alongside English, Maths, Health and R&R classes.

Electives

For the first time, Year 8 students were able to select from a range of electives, experiencing four elective classes over the year. This allows for students to have more voice and agency in their learning, fostering passion and interest within the cohort. The elective options this year are; Drama, Visual Communications, Wood/Metal Technology, Digital Technology and Cooking.

Student Representative Council

I have had the pleasure to call for dominations and run interviews with prospective Year 8 student leaders. It’s great to see students wanting to have input and lead their cohort and school. The 2026 Year 8 Student Leaders are:

• Abigail Bailey
• Rory Simpkins
• Wes Zomer
• Bailyn Leeson

KPAs

As in previous years, we will be continuing the use of Kurnai Positive Acknowledgements (KPA’s). 

This this is how each form tracked for Term 1 so far:

8A: 824

8B: 725

8C: 382

8D: 712

KPA all stars are awards that are given to students who receive the most KPAs for a fortnight. They are celebrated in assembly and receive a canteen voucher. The first KPA all stars of 2026 were: 

• Aiden MEHARRY
• Hayley ARDRAN
• Jackson HOLCOMBE
• Zach POBKE

Art News

Year 8 students working on a typography project during Visual Communication.

Contact Details

If you have any concerns regarding Year 8 students, please don’t hesitate to phone me on (03)5165 0600 - option 3 or email me at sarah.lewis@education.vic.gov.au

Sarah Lewis

Year 8 Team Leader