Year Eight 

Physical Education

Netball

This term, the Year 8 students will be learning about Netball. This sport will improve their fitness while learning how to work effectively as a team. Through drills and practice games, the students will build on their understanding of the game and understand the rules that make netball engaging. As we introduce Netball to our students, we will be practising several techniques that are essential to the game, such as:

Chest Passes: Students will practise delivering the ball directly from the chest, using both hands to generate power. 

Overhead Passes: Students will learn to position their hands behind the ball and throw it from above their head, using their whole body to generate force. 

Pivot: We will focus on teaching students how to pivot effectively to maintain control of the ball.

They will also learn about positioning on the court and the roles of different positions. This sport is excellent for developing teamwork, coordination, and strategic thinking. 

Health 

Personal Safety and Cybersafety

This term, we will focus on two areas of Health: personal Safety and Cybersafety. These topics are relevant to everyday life and essential for helping people navigate the challenges and opportunities they may encounter, both offline and online.

We will begin the term by exploring ‘Peer Pressure’, which is a powerful influence that can impact our decisions and behaviour. We will engage in group discussions and practise strategies on how to decline situations that make us feel uncomfortable, how the students can support themselves and their peers in challenging conditions and how students can identify and role models who encourage healthy and positive behaviours.

We will also focus on ‘Building Resilience’, learning to cope with stress and setbacks and maintain a positive outlook.

We will also be covering Cybersafety throughout the term, and we will be exploring essential topics such as:

Protecting Your Identity Online: How to protect your personal information.

Dealing with Cyberbullying: Identifying it, understanding its impact, and knowing how to respond effectively.

Smart Social Media Practices: Ensuring you’re using platforms safely.

These lessons will provide opportunities for the students to make good choices in the digital space. We will engage in group discussions and scenario-based activities to help our students apply what they learn to real-life situations. 

Big Strides in Our Music Program: Growing Talent and Exciting Performances

Our music program is flourishing this year with remarkable participation and student engagement strides across Years 7, 8, and 9. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts through engaging classroom music sessions and given opportunities to explore instruments and group performances. This foundation has led many to join our expanding instrumental and band programs, sparking even more enthusiasm for music.

We’re proud to announce the formation of three unique school bands, each reflecting our students' diverse talents and interests. These bands have been actively preparing for several exciting performances, including our Information Evening, and both the Grade 6 and Year 9 Graduations. These events will showcase the students' hard work, musical skills, and the vibrant energy that the music program brings to our school community. We look forward to seeing these students shine on stage and continuing to build a robust and creative music culture!

Humanities

Integrating Persuasion and Business Skills

This term, our Year 8 students are taking their persuasive writing techniques beyond the English classroom and putting them into practice in their Humanities unit on business and marketing! Students are discovering how to influence and engage an audience through powerful marketing strategies while developing their own unique business models. This interdisciplinary approach is helping them see how persuasive language and business skills go hand in hand in creating a successful product or service.

Currently, students are brainstorming and outlining their very own business ideas. They’re researching market trends, analysing competitors, and identifying target audiences for their products or services. Through these steps, students learn the importance of planning and strategy in building a successful business from the ground up.

At the end of the term, students will present their business plans in front of their class. This will be a valuable opportunity for them to practice their public speaking skills and demonstrate the persuasive techniques they’ve been mastering. We look forward to seeing their creativity and innovation shine through in these presentations!