YEAR 8 NEWS
Learning Intentions:
- How your brain and emotions and connected
- Why your feelings are sometimes ‘all over the place’
- How understanding your emotions can help you make better decisions
OLYMPICS TRIVIA
Throughout August, Year 8 PALS teams engaged in a spirited competition of Olympics-themed trivia. Students were encouraged to stay informed with the latest news and updates from the Olympic Games to help their classes secure victory. Congratulations to Mr. Carraro’s Chisholm and Ms. Ross’ Polding teams for winning the competition!
ORGANISATION PRESENTATION
Recently Year 8 have been presented to about the ways organsiation, routine and time-management can set them up for success at school. Students were reminded of the importance of the school diary in assisting them to establish positive habits when it comes to recording important tasks and due dates. Below are some of the slides that have been shared with the year group.
MPOWER ME DAY
The upcoming Year 8 MPower Me Days will take place for all Year 8 students on Monday September 16th and Tuesday September 17th this term. Parents and Carers can find more detailed information about the days in Compass events, where parental consent is due by Wednesday September 11 2024. The days will provide students with a range of opportunities to further encourage and develop key skills including assertiveness, self-awareness, empathy, problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Program Highlights:
1. Enlighten Education Workshop:
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- On one of the two days, students will participate in workshops by Enlighten Education, conducted on school grounds.
- Enlighten Education offers evidence-based programs designed to boost self-esteem and confidence in young people.
- These workshops encourage students to become discerning consumers, critical thinkers, and to find their voice and power in a complex world.
- The workshops aim to help students move beyond stereotypes, resolve conflicts, connect with their peers, and develop positive wellbeing behaviours.
- For more information about Enlighten Education, please visit https://www.enlighteneducation.com
2. Butterfly Foundation ‘Body Kind’ and ‘RESET’ sessions:
- Teacher facilitated session on the topic of body image using the Butterfly Foundation resources ‘Body Kind’ and ‘RESET’ which are specifically tailored to teenage boys and girls
- More information can be found at https://butterfly.org.au/get-involved/campaigns/bodykind/ and https://butterfly.org.au/get-involved/campaigns/reset/
3. Off-Site Activities at Nowra Showground:
- The other day will feature team-building and personal challenge activities at Nowra Showground.
- Activities will include rock climbing, bushwalking, and initiative games, with an emphasis on teamwork and environmental stewardship.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
DEAN AUSTIN
Congratulations to Dean Austin for being selected for the NSW Country Team under 14 Boys. He will be competing in Queensland this September. Dean has been travelling and training consistently and his selection into the NSW Country Team is a testament to his hard work and talent. Good luck to Dean at the National competition!
MILEY WINCHESTER AND TIARN SCHELL
Well done to Miley Winchester and Tiarn Schell who recently competed at the NSW Interschools Equestrian Competition.
Miley placed 3rd overall in the 90cm which qualified her for nationals and 5th overall in the meter which resulted in first reserve for the meter team.
Tiarn has also recently competed at the World Cup Showjumping Competition at the Sydney Equestrian Centre, an outstanding achievement!
JONATHAN McGREGOR
Congratulations to Jonathan McGregor who has been competing in Motocross races at both state and national level. Recently Jonathan has competed at the Victorian state titles. He has also travelled to Queensland and regional Victoria in preparation for the Australian Junior Titles in Western Australia at the end of September. Best of luck to Jonathan as he prepares for this exciting event!
RUBY ROBERTS
Acknowledgements to Ruby Roberts for her positive contribution to junior netball as she played a vital role in supporting the Diocesan Netball Primary gala day. Ruby attended the day as an umpire and was an excellent representative of our school.
DIOCESAN ATHLETICS - AIRLIE STEVENS + DEAN AUSTIN
Congratulations to Dean and Airlie for their amazing efforts at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival earlier this term. Airlie was awarded 3rd place in the 13 girls Age Champion and Dean 2nd place in the 14 boys Age Champion.
RUGBY LEAGUE
Well done to the many Year 8 students who are part of the very successful St John’s Under 14 boys Rugby League side. The boys were victorious at the Cochrane Cup Semi Final and they are busy preparing for the upcoming Final later this term.
Good Luck in the final boys!
SCHOOL NETBALL
There have been a large number of year 8 students involved in representing St John’s at Netball for the Schools Cup Finals. The Blue and Yellow boys sides and the junior girls teams have shown great commitment in their training and efforts to prepare.
OZTAG
Excellent participation was demonstrated by the following Year 8 students at the Oz Tag Cup in Wollongong: Dean Austin, Ivy Gjeci, Taj Goddard, Caiden Green, Allira Hepburn, Noah Jamieson, Logan Juric, Luke Keating, Maddie Lonard, Lexy McRae-Brumfield, Torr Morley, Kai Reid, Ruby Roberts, Nate Shalala & Bryson Short.
NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS - SEAN HARRIS AND CAIN DOOSEY
Year 8 were very proud to see Sean Harris and Cain Doosey perform at the recent NAIDOC celebrations. Both students were outstanding in their performances both at school and also visiting other local schools including visits to Nowra Christian School and St Mary’s Milton.
SCHOOL MUSICAL
Acknowledgements go to the following Year 8 students who had involvement in the very successful School Musical ‘The Pirate Queen’:
Maia Donnici, Leila Ferreira, Isabel Gonzaga, Imojen Jacka, Rachel Martinez, Henry Moller and Evie Smart
HISTORY DEBATING
Special mention goes to Maia Donnici, Leila Ferreira, Rachel Martinez and Aela Stephenson who have been busy preparing for History Debating. The girls previously competed at the competition held in Wollongong and Edmund Rice College.
RELIGION ARTWORK - PAINTING AND CLAY SCULPTURES
TOPIC - 'ALIVE IN CHRIST'
MOBILE DAIRY INCURSION - FOOD & AGRICULTURE
'Let your light shine. '
Mrs Kate Jennings
Year 8 Coordinator