Year 8

This Term our Year 8 students at Bentleigh East have been focused on 'finding the positives' in themselves and their peers, and identifying their strengths in the classroom. A busy Term 3 has seen many different activities occurring across the year level.

The students have been lucky enough to represent the College in ACC Basketball and ACC Table Tennis, with a big 'thank-you' to the Staff who have taken up Coaching positions this term.  Our Year 8 Health classes have had visits from 'Elephant Education' to discuss healthy boundaries with social media, and education in drug awareness, both of which the students have enjoyed.

In our Mathematics classes students have been lucky enough to have a visit from 'The Brainary' with some amazing robotics brought along for the students to see.  A big thanks to Mr. Patrick Rejman, who has supported a number of the Year 8 students in the Australian Mathematics competition. Good luck to the many Year 8 competitors!

St Kilda – Play to Your Strengths Program

Early in the term, we had the St Kilda Football Club visit to run the 'Play to Your Strengths' program. The program draws on international expertise and uses our football players (AFL and VFLW) in an engaging way to help kids discover and work to their individual strengths. It celebrates differences and helps kids overcome problems, improve their relationships and creates greater sense of wellbeing.

Using St Kilda football players as inspiration, 'Play to Your Strengths' introduces students to Values in Action (VIA) and Character Strengths in a fun and engaging manner. Through interactive exercises, students learn about the 24 universal strengths, explore their top strengths and ways they can flex these in all aspects of life, as well as gain an insight into the strengths of others. Knowing your character strengths isn’t just 'interesting information'. When skilfully applied, character strengths can have a significant positive impact on your life.

The students have completed the booklets and the surveys with a chance to discuss as classes and individuals what they see as their best strengths.  The program was a great chance for the students to reflect on themselves and their peers with positivity, and this has been a big focus at Bentleigh East campus this year.  

Rachel Urquhart

Year 8 Coordinator 

Bentleigh East Campus