Year 8

Last Friday, we celebrated our Annual athletics carnival which was a tremendous success, and I could not be prouder of the way our Year 8 students conducted themselves. The sense of camaraderie and school spirit was evident throughout the day. I was especially impressed by the willingness of every student to get involved and give all activities a red-hot go, regardless of their athletic ability. Whether sprinting down the track, giving their best in field events, or cheering on their peers from the sidelines, our Year 8s embodied the true spirit of participation. Their positive attitude and encouragement of one another made the day memorable for all.

On Monday of this week during our Luminary time, we continued our journey with the Lean In Girls Leadership Program. The girls engaged in an insightful activity where they explored the connections between their actions and their values. It is always great to hear feedback from the luminaries that the students are thoughtful in their reflections and the open discussions that followed. Activities like these are invaluable in helping our students develop a strong sense of self and the confidence to lead with integrity, both now and in the future.

Thursday marked our school’s observance of R U OK? Day, an important reminder of the need to look out for one another and foster a supportive community. During Luminary, students discussed how to recognise signs that a friend might be struggling, and we explored some practical ways to check in with each other. This included questions such as: What are some signs that a friend might be having a tough time? How would you approach and check in on a mate if you were concerned? How could you start a conversation and ask, “R U OK?” Our Year 8 students engaged with these discussions thoughtfully, demonstrating both empathy and maturity.

Sadly, in the last couple of weeks, it has come to my attention that there has been some ‘mean girl’ behaviour within the year group. This includes actions such as social isolation, mean looks and gestures, targeted posts online, and general nastiness. During our year meeting this week, I addressed the importance of kindness and reminded the students that while people may forget the words spoken, they never forget how those words made them feel. I encourage you to continue this conversation at home with your daughters, emphasising the importance of choosing their actions wisely and considering the impact on others, both in person and online.

Only one more week of term to go and then we can all enjoy a very much deserved break and reset.

– Kate Schurch
Acting Head of Year 8

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