Year Eight
Mathematics
Welcome to the final week of Term One! We have had a productive term, where we have explored concepts in the area of Number and Algebra and Statistics and Probability!
Over the last two weeks, the Year Eight students have delved into Chance, exploring many concepts including, sample space, theoretical and experimental probability as well as creating and interpreting Venn diagrams and two-way tables. We have enjoyed the use of experiments to further our learning, where students created an experiment to explore the connection between experimental and theoretical probability.
Students have used one of our assessment tools, Essential Assessment, to explore their understanding of Chance. From the data they receive, they can identify the areas that they improved on and select future learning goals of areas they are yet to master. We encourage students to complete My Numeracy goals over the holidays to consolidate their knowledge of Chance.
Next term, we will kick off the term by investigating ideas in the area of Measurement and Geometry. We will explore concepts around length, area, perimeter, volume and circumference through hands on investigations and open-ended questions.
We hope you all have an enjoyable break and we look forward to another successful term of learning.
Spanish
Hola!
Me llamo Profesora Hewat. Tengo el pelo castaño soy baja. Mis ojos son marrones. Soy bastante inteligente y ¡muy divertida!
In the last couple of weeks, Year Eight students have been learning how to describe their own physical appearance and how to describe other people. We have been using the characters from the movie Encanto (which is set in Colombia) to practice describing people's physical characteristics.
Combining the learning from this Unit with their knowledge from last year, students are using this vocabulary to create a storybook about their family. For their summative assessment of Unit 1: 'Como Soy', students are producing a piece of writing describing some of their family members. Students have learnt how to describe hair, eyes, height, and personality, as well as other aspects of an individual's identity.
It would be great if parents and family members could help their children with sourcing some photos to include in their Family Storybook! We're looking forward to learning more about the individuals who are helping our Year Eight students to shape their identity.
Please enjoy some outtakes of me surprising some students suddenly with a camera and asking them to say one sentence describing an aspect of their appearance.
English
In English, students have been wrapping up their study of 'the Simple Gift' by Steven Herrick, and we thought, rather than reading what the teachers have to say, you might enjoy hearing from some of our students.
We look forward to having everyone back next term ready to start our exploration of 'The Hunger Games' (which students are expected to have read prior to returning to school for Term Two).
Humanities
In the final weeks of the term, the Year Eight Humanities students have been concluding their learning of landscapes and landforms for the Geography Unit. They have been busily revising for their end of unit tests, and reflecting on the use of landscapes throughout Australia and the processes that shape these unique areas.
The cohort has built some great momentum and looking forward to starting the new unit on rights, freedoms, and the law next term.
During the holidays, keep on eye out for new laws happening in Australia to discuss when we return to school. Alternatively, look out for some strange laws around the world both new and old.
Hoping that you all have a safe and happy break.
Science
Welcome to the last week of Term One! We have really started our science journey this year with a bang! The students have learnt all the safety aspects required when using equipment and have excelled when carrying out experiments in our chemistry unit. Students were principled and risk takers and really enjoyed being in the laboratory. We have just finished our chemistry unit with looking at Acids and Bases. Students participated in a caucas race around the room to find out what a mystery solution was.
Our students in the Year Eight ACES class have been able to plan experiments, from creating a risk assessment through to carrying out and gathering the data required. They have also been able to show depth of understanding by evaluating what improvements may be needed in future. The ACES students were also introduced to the concept of balancing equations.
All students will have their summative assessment when they return to school next term.
We hope that they all enjoy the holidays and come back refreshed and ready for our unit on Physics.
Health and Physical Education
The Year Eight Students have been continuing their Athletics unit. We have looked at furthering our skills in Discus and Shot Put. In Shot Put, we focused on accuracy and trying to improve our techniques when throwing. For Discus, we continued examining the technique when holding the discus and rotating the body when throwing. Students had the opportunity to put their practise into competition by participating in the schools Athletics Carnival. Students all gave their best efforts and there were a lot of students who performed extremely well. Students have also been participating in Inter-School Sports, sports included Cricket, Volleyball and Swimming. We had many winners in our swimming team including one student in Year Eight who made it to the next round. Congratulations to all involved!
For Health, students have been looking at the effects of junk food on the body. Students looked at a video called 'The Truth About Sugar' focusing on how sugar can impact our bodies, identifying foods with high sugar content and being able to explain the risks associated with a high sugar diet. Students have been working on their assessment task, which is based on writing a persuasive letter to the school canteen to change their menu. Students have been analysing the menu to see what foods are unhealthy and how they could change it to a healthier option.
