Year Eight 

Secondary Prime Ministers Spelling Bee

Over the past few weeks, 32 students from Years 7 and 8 at Saltwater College participated in the school round of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee. Each student was challenged to spell 30 words correctly in the fastest time possible.

Following the school round, the top 200 students in the state advanced to the State and Territory Finals. We proudly announce that eight students qualified for this next competition stage. Congratulations to Mahika, Michaela, Aaraiz, Rishab, and Trisha from Year 7, Hayli, Akhil, and Joy from Year 8 for advancing to the State and Territory Finals.

After the State and Territory Finals, the top three students from each state qualify for the National Final. We are thrilled to congratulate Rishab from Year 7, who spelled all 30 words correctly in an impressive time of 3 minutes and 17 seconds, securing his place in the National Finals. Rishab will represent Saltwater College in Week 9 of Term 3 at the National Finals, and we wish him the very best of luck as he continues in the competition.

I want to thank and congratulate all of our students who participated in the Spelling Bee for their dedication and effort.

Netball - Saltwater College vs Point Cook College

On the 13th of September, our Year 7 and 8 students (Chrisma, Ava, Layla, Lizzie, Joshitha, Justus, Vanya, Trisha, Laiba, Akira, Hiba, Mila, Victoria, Jaynah, Gayashi, Ivanya, Lilly, Joy) recently competed in a netball game against Point Cook College on their home court. Although both teams did not come away with the win, they played with determination and demonstrated excellent sportsmanship throughout the games. We look forward to inviting Point Cook College to Saltwater for another exciting sports match shortly.

Physical Education - Soccer

The Year 8 students have been engaging well in their soccer unit during their PE classes. This term, the focus has been on building foundational skills, communication and teamwork, while keeping fit and active. 

Throughout the unit, the students have participated in various activities designed to enhance their soccer abilities. From basic passing and dribbling drills to small-sided games, the emphasis has been on developing confidence with the ball and learning the value of working together as a team.

The Year 8 students have focused on the following drills this term:

• Dribbling and Ball Control: They have practised moving the ball with both feet, improving their ability to navigate through defenders and keep control during fast-paced games.
• Passing and Communication: Through partner drills and group activities, students have learned how to make passes and communicate effectively with their teammates.
•  Goal Shooting: The students have engaged in goal-shooting drills, in which they dribble in zig-zag patterns before shooting a goal.
• Team Play: They have collaborated and supported one another on the field. 

Not only have the students developed physical skills in soccer, but they have also gained skills in perseverance and leadership. Teamwork is essential in soccer because it allows players to communicate, rely on each other to cover the field, defend and create scoring opportunities.

Health – Nutrition Project.

The Year 8 students have made fantastic progress on their nutrition assessment projects. As part of this project, students have deepened their understanding of the importance of macronutrients and healthy eating.

Students have chosen to present their findings in one of two formats:

Many students have created informative and visually engaging PowerPoint and Canva slides. They are using their knowledge to explain key nutrition concepts, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and how these macronutrients support our bodies. Their slides are filled with well-researched content, diagrams, and creative layouts to communicate their message effectively.

Others have taken on the challenge of producing videos. The students showcase their ability to present nutrition information creatively and engagingly. Using a mix of voiceovers, visuals, and even interviews, students are exploring how to make healthy eating habits relatable and accessible.

Both formats allow students to demonstrate not only their grasp of the subject but also their ability to use technology as a learning tool. I have been impressed with their enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment to the project so far.

Music:

School Band Rocks the Assembly with Stellar Debut Performance

We’re thrilled to announce that our school band made a remarkable debut at the recent assembly, delivering an impressive performance that captivated the entire secondary school. With just one song on their setlist, the band showcased their talent and hard work in a way that left everyone cheering.

Rehearsals took place during school hours, and the students dedicated themselves fully to preparing for this moment. Their enthusiasm and commitment were evident in every note as they took to the stage. The song they performed was a high-energy rock/pop hit that had the whole assembly buzzing with excitement.

The performance was a testament to the students’ teamwork and the skilful guidance of our band directors. The band’s ability to come together and deliver such a polished performance in front of their peers was awe-inspiring.

A big thank you to all the students, staff, and parents who supported the band’s journey and cheered them on during their debut. We’re excited to see what’s next for our talented musicians and look forward to more performances in the future.

Congratulations to the band on a fantastic start. You really rocked it!

If you want to see the performance, please click the link below.

https://youtu.be/yJNcaFo8xoE

English

During these last weeks of English, year eight have been working hard on connecting with Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”. Some classes have been working towards creating a short film as a class that re-contextualises this age-old classic. In contrast, others have taken a more individualised approach and created scripts, narratives, and vision boards to re-tell the story in a way that connects with their personal interests.

Ending this term, students have learned how language devices, themes, and character tropes are intertwined to make media entertaining for different audiences, which has helped enhance their appreciation and creation of texts.