Year 8 News

Term 4 is here, and students have quickly gotten back into the swing of things. Students are busily learning new concepts in class in preparation for the CAT’s (common assessment tasks) that are fast approaching. The next round of LBU’s will be released shortly and I am looking forward to celebrating the progress each of our students are making in developing and refining their learning behaviours.

Everything is moving full steam ahead with only 8 weeks left in this term before our Year 8’s begin their Year 9 HeadStart program. We are focusing on having a strong finish to the 2024 Year 8 program whilst our students also begin to look towards next year. As a part of this process, they will be completing their subject selections for next year. Keep an eye on Compass for a notification of when subject selections are available, as spots in certain electives will fill quickly.

History Day

On the last Thursday of Term 3 students participated in our annual history day. There were lots of great costumes on the day and everyone I spoke with had a lot of fun. Students got to participate in a variety of different activities including potion making, Viking ship races, skirmishes and much more.

Students were also treated to a medieval feast at lunch, providing many with a lot of new culinary experiences. This day culminated in the annual tug-of-war competition, which was well contested by all participants.

Below are statements from a couple of our year 8 students about the history day and the start of term 4:

On history day there was several activities going on such as, gold panning, shield making, preparation for the feast, larping (foam sword fighting in other words), an art competition and so much more, after the feast, all the year eights and nines competed in several games of tug of war, settled down to see which house got the most points and to see who won the costume contest. The prize for first place, (which I somehow won), is a steel bracelet / wrist band. The feast had foods of all sorts, fruit, garlic bread, veg, roast meats, and at the very end, several different types of cakes. It was a fun sight to see of everyone dressed up as anything from the start of medieval times to WW1. From what I saw everyone was having a good time, interacting with each-other, participating in the activities and chatting to other people. Overall, it was a fun time.

– Vincent.K

Later last term at Kurnai College in Churchill, we had a medieval dress up day where all students attending at Kurnai Churchill, got the chance to dress up in medieval or house colours. We also had the opportunity to have a medieval themed feast as well as activities that were lead throughout the day. After ending term 3 with a relaxed, fun day, we started this term fresh with a duck hunt! Us year 8s spent the first 2 weeks looking and finding little plastic ducks that we could cash in for KPA points. So far term 4 has been fun and we can’t wait to see what happens later this term.

- Abbie S

Duck Hunt

During week 2 of this term our students participated in a duck hunt competition. This involved students searching the school for mini ducks which had been hidden by staff. The year 8 cohort really got into this competition, with many giving up their recess and lunch times to search for the elusive ducks. Each duck they located would be able to be traded in at the KPA shop to gain more points to spend, with some ducks being worth as much as 5 KPA points. Some students traded their ducks in for points, others kept their ducks as memento’s. A lot of fun was had by all, and it was good to see our students get involved in the fun and try something different.

Kurnai Aspiring Athletes Program

At Kurnai we aim to develop the whole students and help our students be successful in all aspects of life, not just in the classroom. Kurnai College, in partnership with the Gippsland Academy of Sport, aims to increase opportunities for identified students to engage in a tailored strength and conditioning program that supports young athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence. The students have been really committed to improving themselves and have gone above and beyond to embrace this opportunity. This involves lunch time training sessions and morning sessions which occur prior to the beginning of the school day. Below is feedback from one of the participants.

We are feeling fitter. We are feeling stronger. The lunch time sessions are pretty fun and give you something to do. - Skylah

Year 8 School Swimming

On Monday 11/11 and Wednesday 13/11, our Year 8 students will complete their swimming and water safety practical session at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon. Permission and more details can be found on Compass. This is a great opportunity to upskill our students to be ready for the warmer weather in summer. They will also get to enjoy to a lunch at Newman Park in Traralgon on the Wednesday. Please ensure that your child has their permission slips completed on Compass so they don’t miss out on this opportunity.

Gumbuya World

Once again Kurnai will be taking over Gumbuya World as part of our end of year celebration. This year the Gumbuya World excursion will take place on Wednesday the 11th of December. Compass permission is already open, please contact the office if you need a paper form. This is a terrific day, and we want to make sure everyone can attend and join in a fun day of celebration.

Live4Life

On Tuesday the 15th of October we launched the Live4Life program with our Year 8 students. This included a short presentation followed by a free BBQ. Below is some information about the program:

Live4Life Latrobe 2024

Information for parents / guardians / carers

We are excited to welcome your Year 8 student to the Live4Life initiative in 2024.

Live4Life Latrobe Valley was created in response to a reported increase from schools and agencies, in depression, anxiety, cyber bullying and self-harm which has led to the need for a coordinated response to address our young people’s mental health.

Latrobe Valley’s seven secondary schools and community partners agreed to utilise an evidenced based approach to mental health that focuses on prevention and education. Lowanna College, Kurnai College, Traralgon College, St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, Lavalla Catholic College, Latrobe Valley Flexible Learning Option, and Berry Street School have joined together in partnership with Headspace Morwell, Department of Education, Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault, Gippsland Youth Spaces Inc, Ladder, Latrobe Health Assembly, Latrobe Regional Health, Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation, Youth Live4Life, Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning Employment Network, Centre for Multicultural Youth, Gippsland Primary Health Network, Lifeline Gippsland, Quantum Support Services, and YSAS Inner Gippsland to deliver Live4Life in our community.

Live4Life Latrobe Valley is made up of the following components:

Delivery of Teen Mental Health First Aid to Year 8 and 10 students.
Parents and Teachers – Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
Live4Life Crew - Year 9 and 10 Students who volunteer to support the delivery of education sessions and run the launch, mental health promotion activities and celebration events for the year ahead.

Each school will host a mini-launch activity for year 8 students as an introduction to Live4Life. Please note that photos may be taken throughout the launchand celebration and used for publicity purposes by Kurnai College, Latrobe Health Assembly and Youth Live4Life. If you do not wish your child to be photographed, please inform office staff before the event.

Teen Mental Health First Aid for Year 8 students

Your Year 8 student will participate in 3 x 60-minute education sessions within their individual schools. Delivered by Mental Health First Aid accredited trainers. Further information about the course can be found at https://www.mhfa.com.au/our-courses/teen-peer-to-peer-support/teen-mental-health-first-aid/

For more information about Live4Life visit www.Live4Life.org.au or contact:

Jessica Possart

Position: Live4Life Latrobe Valley Project Coordinator

Phone number: 0484 133 732Email: jessica.possart@healthassembly.org.au

Concerns or queries

If you have any concerns or queries about any of the items mentioned above, Year 8 student matters, or just general inquiries, please do not hesitate to give the year 8 team a call on 51323700 or email Matthew Suter.

Matthew.Suter@education.vic.gov.au

Art

The year 8’s have been working on a themed product range. For the first few weeks, they were working on designing and painting their skateboards, hats and advertisement posters. In the next few weeks, they will be painting their t-shirt and calico teddy bear to match the theme of their product range.

Concerns or queries

Matthew.Suter@education.vic.gov.au

Matt Suter

Year 8 Team Leader