Year 8 have been busy involving themselves in the many and varied extra-curricular activities. It is important to realise that being an active member of the community is vital for an individual to be a productive member of society.

 

Over the next two terms there will be a focus for Year 8 to become more involved through volunteering their time across all areas of the school community. I encourage parents to discuss with their children the benefits of being involved in the extra-curricular areas of our school community. The Helping Hand Award for Year 8 will focus on rewarding those students who volunteer their time, talent and skills to various aspects of school life.

 

DIOCESAN NETBALL

Year 8 girls participated in the Diocesan Netball Carnival held at Berkeley in July. Hannah Button, Halle McKnight, Phoebe Szymoniczek, Maggie Smith, Tahlia Walsh, Kiralee Gray, Makyla Paddick, Madison Carr and Mylea Knight all put in a big effort on the day. Good luck to Hannah, Halle, Phoebe, Maggie, Tahlia, Kiralee and Madison when they head to Penrith for the State competition.

 

FOOTBALL

The Open Girls football team are heading to the State finals and Anna Simon from Year 8 will be right there with them. Anna stepped up into the senior team and was happy to do her bit. We are also looking forward to hearing of more success when the team plays in the State finals at Glenwood in September.

 

VINNIES YOUTH

There are a number of Year 8 students actively working hard to raise money and awareness of the plight of the needy in our local area through Vinnies Youth. These students live out the Core Values of Compassion, Love and Hope through their involvement in our school based social justice group.

 

WAKAKIRRI DANCE TROUPE 

The successful Wakakirri Dance Troupe included students from Years 7 - 12, with Year 8 students Phoebe Syzmoniczek, Maggie Smith, Madison Doosey, Scarlett Mahony, Sophie Le, Alyssa Ide, Amelia-Kate Willson, Lauren Stevens, Sienna Clarke, Sophie Krikstolaitis, Hannah Button, Zeo Klapsis and Halle McKnight being members of this successful group. All girls danced with passion and commitment and should be very proud of their achievement!

  

ABORIGINAL DANCE

Years 7, 8 & 9 students danced on Monday for children at Orient Point and Districts Pre School for their NAIDOC celebrations. This was an excellent opportunity for members of the junior dance troupe to demonstrate their leadership skills. Kiah Shine, Daniel Foster, Hunter Woods, Ky Nolan-Cooper, Arabici Talty, Georgina Hooke, Keeley Longbottom, Jamie Beattie, Lauren Ball and Madison Doosey from Year 8 showed that they have what it takes to step out into the wider community and represent St John’s in a positive way, demonstrating our connection to the local Aboriginal culture.

SJE NETWORK NEWS

SJENN includes several very dedicated and talented crew. Abbey Paton, Kiara Skinner, Annabelle Morison, Ella Auslebrook, Kate Drinkwalter and Grace Hartigan of Year 8 are developing their skills in the area of media as well as getting the opportunity to meet celebrities such as Conrad Sewell who performed at St John’s on Tuesday.

ACADEMIC CARE FACILITATION 

Another term of the Academic Care Facilitation (ACF) is commencing again this week. This involves the selection of students to be involved in sustaining and/or further improving their results and overall classroom application. Weekly meetings will occur with students and their teachers to maximise the opportunity for growth by analysing students' classroom practices and developing strategies for further engagement. Students are selected from a range of criteria targeting them as high achievers. This includes a comparison of NAPLAN data with school grades as well as Year Coordinator and teacher data.

Congratulations to those that are selected to participate in the program.

I would also like to congratulate Year 8 on the way they have entered Semester 2 with diligent learning taking place in the classrooms as well as the involvement of many students in other areas across the school. It is important that Year 8 connect their involvement to their motto “God has no hands but yours”.

Mrs. Lynette Kelly

Year 8 Coordinator