Year 8
Back to school, back at home and back to school again! The start of the year has again challenged our students. However, I have been very impressed with the resilience they have shown in settling back into things and their ability to organise themselves effectively for their classes.
On the whole, uniform expectations have been upheld, although some excess jewellery is starting to appear. A reminder to parents/carers that sports uniform should only be worn on days that the students have Physical Education or Dance classes. The girls know the rules about uniform, jewellery and makeup; breaches of the rules will earn a uniform infringement and jewellery will be taken to the office. In cases where a student has received three infringements, a letter will be sent home outlining the date of the detention.
Further to this, a reminder that students need to fill out an official request form for late submission of required assessment tasks TWO days before the submission date. Please make it a habit to check and sign your daughter’s Planner every fortnight, to ensure that she is recording her homework tasks and reminders daily. This helps to encourage organisational skills and to establish positive habits.
It is not recommended that students take holidays during school term. Important sequential learning in the classroom can be missed. If unavoidable, and students miss classes during term time due to holidays, it is their responsibility to catch up.
The start of the year has also brought an array of opportunities for students to engage and become involved in and I congratulate the girls who have participated in the following, to name a few:
- ‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical’ auditions
- Connections through Art, Drama Club and Junior Choir
- Sporting trials, teams and training
- The Ash Wednesday Liturgy and the
- International Women’s Day Breakfast
With even more opportunities on the horizon, I encourage all students to find the courage to get involved and try some new things!
Congratulations to the following girls who were elected by their peers as Class Captains for this Semester:
8/45 – Angelique Kotzagiannidis and Haley Cox
8/47 – Shelby Christopher and Alessia Mastrocola
8/48 – Evie Hannan and Brihdi O’Connell
8/49 – Zoe Fitzgerald and Annabelle Chapman
8/51 – Casey de Kock and Alyce Jurdukian
8/52 – Amalie Magro and Adrienne Cameron
Last week during our Pastoral Period students worked in groups to ‘build a bridge’. While the bridges may not have been architectural masterpieces, the 21st century skills of collaboration, communication and creativity were certainly evident.
This Friday 12 March, we have a Year 8 activities afternoon, which will provide more opportunities for students to make new connections, connecting with students they may not be familiar with.
I also look forward to seeing all of our Year 8 students in the pool and earning points for their Houses at the House Swimming Carnival on Monday 22 March. Go Tullow!!
Joanne Wood
Level Leader: Year 8 (acting)