Year 8 News

Our Year 8s are currently working on their Common Assessment Tasks (CATs) across all subjects.  We have Learning Behaviour Updates being published next week and Parent-Teacher-Student Conversations on 14th and 15th September. Compass can be used to book meetings with Teachers.  We are looking forward to catching up with lots of families across the two days!

Upcoming Events: 

14 September-  History Day Students can dress in Ancient or Medieval dress and will be participating in History workshops throughout the day.

14 & 15 September-  Parent-teacher-student Conferences.  Use Compass to book conferences.

15 September-  Last day of term.  Enjoy the 2 weeks of School Holidays!

13 October -  Tech School Excursion Sustainable Futures focus  -Permission forms on Compass.

25 October- -  Courage to Care with Holocaust Survivors.   Focus on being an Upstander.

Smashed Performance – Social Awareness

We had Smashed Productions present an interactive performance on 15th August.  The performance focused on supporting students to make responsible decisions around alcohol.  Student interaction was encouraged as they supported characters to make good decisions and think about what they could do differently. We had excellent participation from students throughout the performance.  It was informative and prompted students to think deeply about the issues presented.

Tech School Excursion

On Friday 18th August, Year 8 students had the opportunity to visit Gippsland Tech School in Morwell. The day started with an induction and questions about creativity, "how many uses can you think of for a paperclip?" Students' answers ranged from 2 or 3 to over 20, from using a paperclip to open the sim cover on a phone to "if the paperclip was a lot bigger" then it would have a lot more uses. It’s all about thinking outside the box. The day was divided into three parts with a focus on "Art and Design." 

The students were divided into three groups that used virtual reality (VR) headsets to create a 3D artwork, and then used Artificial Intelligence to create artworks using keywords that the computer would then "think" about. After lunch, students were then invited to look at how microscopes can create images that are then blended into colourful and layered works of art. The students were surprised to learn how much some artworks sell for and were particularly interested in the microscopes and VR. The feedback from students was positive and were looking forward to the next instalment. 

Upcoming Tech School Excursion 13 October

Students will be introduced to a variety of different types of renewable energy and their advantages and disadvantages. Students will use a variety of technologies to investigate and conduct experiments to design, build, and test a model city using renewable energy. 

Metal Work

In metalwork, students are working on multiple projects including making a Spatula or Ned Kelly Armor. They are using lots of skills such as measuring, marking, drilling, riveting, and shaping sheet metal.

Science

In science we focused on the different body systems, the key ones were the musculoskeletal, digestive system, respiratory system, and the cardiovascular system. Throughout the term students performed a chicken wing dissection, looking at the different muscles, tendons, and ligaments and how they worked together. 8A also had the opportunity to do a heart dissection, looking at the different chambers in the heart. Students also completed an exercise practical activity to investigate how exercise changes their heart rate and respiratory rate. 

Art

Students have been working on label design, including features of shape, line and colour arrangement to create an engaging layout that would appeal to most audiences. 

Students have also been creating character profiles for an online game of their creation. They are displaying their character's information in a layout focusing on creating pattern and contrast using colour, line, and shape. 

Students have then started creating a 3D model of their character, similar to a figurine, that most online games produce for their players to collect. 

Karen Anders

Year 8 Team Leader