Year 7 & 8 News

The last few weeks within the 7/8 cohort has been jam-packed with activities and learning, with students commencing their Common Assessment Tasks across their classes. It has been fantastic to see a positive buzz around the place. 

Parent Teacher Conversations 

Parent Teacher Conversations will open for bookings next week. I would like to encourage all parents and carers to attend these with their child. Involving students, parents and care givers is an important part of having students take ownership for their success and be a part of solutions for any issues or areas for improvement in the future. At Year 7 and 8, holding these conversations helps put into perspective how your child is settling into high-school and helps support growth into the following year. 

Learning Tasks and CATs

Students have now completed their learning tasks and results will appear on compass shortly. It is important to view and engage with these results, as they report achievement and provide areas for improvement tied to skills within each subject. Learning Tasks and CATs are also a talking point during Parent Teacher Conversations. Learning Tasks and CATs are designed to monitor student growth and success and should be a positive experience, with students walking away feeling a level of success and accomplishment, however CAT weeks can still be stressful for some students. To combat fatigue and possible stress around CATs, staff are still using Berry Street strategies such as brain breaks and clear routines within our classrooms to support students in managing assessment times. 

Kurnai Band

Over the course of Term 3, the Kurnai Band, which includes many students in Year 7 and 8, have been performing at local primary schools. 

‘For the last couple of weeks, the Kurnai band has been visiting primary schools and performing songs. We went to Churchill North, Boolarra Primary, Morwell Central, Morwell Park, Yinnar, and Churchill Primary. We had lots of fun performing, singing, dancing and danced and made music with the audience. We performed many songs including Epic Battle, performed by the concert band, Dance Monkey and more performed by the after-school band, and we had Snares Ahead by the drum ensemble, we also had the Kurnai Shuffle by the guitar ensemble. We all had fun performing and interacting with the kids. My favourite part was being able to inspire others to learn an instrument and to be able to make kid’s days. This was a wonderful experience for everyone.’

• Kara Phillips, Y7

‘Recently the band has been going around to primary schools and preforming lots of songs. We started with Churchill primary and Boolarra. It was great interacting with the kids and teachers singing and dancing.’

• Allie Wilson, Y7

Year 8 Camp

Year 8 Camp planning is still underway, however we are still waiting on a few more consents to ensure the camp goes ahead. Please discuss with your child whether they would like to attend. The camp will run Week 1 of Term 4 (2nd -6th of October) and will be at Karonda Park, in Glenatipy, and is an exciting camp with a range of activities not many other camps offer including, but not limited to, horse-riding, white-water rafting, indoor rock climbing, and cave tours. As a team, we believe this camp is an important opportunity to further build resilience and relationships within the cohort, especially as they approach their final term in Year 8. If any families have questions about the camp, please contact assistant Team Leader Sarah Lewis via email sarah.lewis@education.vic.gov.au

Year 7 & 8 Swimming

This semester, Year 7 and 8s will participate in a compulsory swimming unit for one term at the Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre in Traralgon. Consent is already live on compass. It is important that students attend swimming. Activities and skills covered include non-swimmer water confidence, stroke improvement, safe lifesaving practices, and fitness/ fun activities in the aquatic environment. All abilities will be catered for, and swimming instructors will be present. 

Year 7/8 Focus

Every few weeks, the Year 7/8 Team implements foci for Year 7 and 8 students. Over the last few weeks, the focus has been on time and bringing correct equipment to class and respectful interactions. 

Around Year 7/8 Classes

English

This term in English we’ve been reading the novel Once which is about aa Jewish kid and him finding his parents during the holocaust I find this topic really interesting and I enjoy learning about it. 

-Nursahala Rashid, Y7

Physical Education

This term we have been attending swimming in Traralgon. We do it to keep us safe around water and learn how to swim. We have been doing skills like back stroke and free style. Sometimes we have free time in the pool 

– Lockie Stone, Y7

Food Technology

My favourite subject at the moment is cooking. We have made brownies and rum balls. Cooking is fun because you learn how to cook and we have one of the best teachers, Ms Schwarzenberg, teaching us. It is also good because we are mixed with other form groups and friends.

– Mia Bastow, Y8

Math

A subject I’m enjoying at the moment is math. Right now, we’re learning about the cartesian plane and how to read and understand the x and y axis. To help us learn we play battleships. 

– Indi Reid, Y8 

Science

My favourite subject right now is science. Right now, we are studying Biology. Lately we have been doing dissection on things like livers, lungs and hearts! It is really fun and enjoyable! – Ally McGhee, Y8

VisComm 

My favourite subject is Visual Communication, I only have it two hours a week but I really enjoy it. At the moment I am designing a skateboard. I like drawing different designs. 

– Amber McGhee, Y8

KPAs (Kurnai Positive Acknowledgements)

In week 5 and 6 of Term 3, Year 7 and 8 students have received 2,269 KPAs. KPAs are a great talking point when speaking to your child about their achievements and how they demonstrate our school pillars. Every single KPA is a positive experience your child is having with staff and is a massive achievement.

Attendance

I would like to take this opportunity to promote attendance; going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Attending and participating in school will help your child develop: important skills and knowledge to help them learn social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and teamwork. Children who attend school every day and complete Year 12 have: better health better job opportunities higher income across their lives. There is no safe number of days for missing school. Each day a student misses puts them behind.

Daniel Murphy

Junior Sub-School Assistant Principal

Year7/8 Team Leader