Year 8 Feature
Year 8’s theme for the year is ‘Reach for the Stars’ and focuses on embracing the many opportunities offered to our Year 8 students at Caroline Chisholm College, in an effort to be the best possible person and learner they can be.
In classes so far this term, Year 8 have participated in a number of different learning activities, including studying Vikings and making long boats in History. In Religion, Year 8 have been studying a unit called ‘The Gift of Prayer’ which has focused on the importance of prayer for Catholics and has included time spent in the College Chapel praying in Religion classes. Some of our students in Technology have been experimenting with fabric colouration techniques. In English Year 8 have been exploring different genres of writing and building their vignette writing skills. In Science they have been looking at forces, gravitational and magnetic fields. In PDHPE they are looking at risky situations and harm minimisation. In Visual Arts they are about to start making their clay vessels. In Maths they have been learning about Percentages and Financial Maths.
Many students have availed themselves of opportunities to be of service to others and gain valuable service experience. Our open nights saw many Year 8 students take on the roles of tour guides and subject helpers. All of our students represented the college with pride as they enthusiastically shared our college with prospective students and parents. Other students have given up time after school to make sandwiches for the Vinnies Van, which then go out with our senior students and staff to help support the homeless in our diocese. Flag duty has been another area of service that has kept some of our Year 8 students busy, both before and after school.
Our Year 8 homerooms, aided by our wonderful Homeroom team have been preparing and running their Project Compassion initiatives. So far we have seen 8 Macarthur run a wonderful cake stall. 8 Wright and 8 Jackson are currently organising their lolly bags and Easter Surprise bags to be delivered during homeroom. 8 Kenny will be hosting their Chocolate Wheel, while 8 Mackillop are running a competition to guess the number of Easter eggs in their very large jar. 8 Gilmore will be selling Zooper Doopers. It has been great to see our students support and fund these initiatives as we aim to raise money and awareness for Project Compassion, so that Caritas can continue the wonderful work they do!
In the sporting arena, Year 8 have been preparing for the college athletics carnival where we hope to see large numbers of students participating in various activities, gaining valuable house points. We have seen great success in the pool with Year 8 students representing the college at the PDSSSC swimming carnival at Homebush. Special mention to Sienna Gurman who walked away with 8 medals - a wonderful achievement! We have Year 8 students representing the college in our current representative teams for Oz-tag and Volleyball. Two year 8 students Piper Watson and Skye Williams have made our PDSSSC Open Soccer team - a huge achievement for Year 8 students! We wish them luck in their upcoming gala day! Our other Year 8 students have been enjoying recreational sport including: bootcamp, walking, dance and self-defence. There are also 11 Year 8 students who have been successful in their auditions for the various CCC Dance Companies for 2024.
It has been a busy and exciting term so far for Year 8. We look forward to our upcoming short holiday to celebrate Easter. Upon our return, we will continue to strive to ‘Reach for the stars’!
Mrs Catherine Easterbrook
Leader of Learning Year 8