Year 8

It has been great to have Year 8 back in the swing of things following the camp. This week is was wonderful to see Year 8 involved in so many school events that are all a huge part of learning outside the classroom. This week alone we have had Year 8 represented in the House Rowing Challenge, the Strong Together service opportunity, IGSA Athletics, Inter-School Debating, Tour Day Volunteers and Wakakirri to just mention a few. Well done to Year 8 for involving yourselves so positively in School life. 

Our Cybersafety session with Marianna Carlino, Director of eLearning, looked at how to use AI, its environmental impact and when to use it. The Year 8 students were engaged and I encourage you to speak to your child about what they learned in this session.

Next week the students can look forward to Book Week and STEM Week! Information will be shared with the students in their Weekly News.

Monday 24 August 2026, Lunch: STEM Workshops

In SC203 there will be hands-on workshops (no sign-up required), including the chance to:

• Grow your own Crystal Garden
• Use microscopes 
• Germinate your own seeds in Petri dishes

Wednesday 26 August 2026, Lunch: Diorama Voting

Sign up here to have the chance to participate in the 2026 STEM Diorama Competition: 

2026 STEM Week Diorama – Fill in form

Dioramas must be completed and submitted to Level 2 SC by Monday 24 August 2026. On Wednesday, the dioramas will be displayed for voting. Everyone is welcome to vote for their favourite diorama! 

Diorama Rules (for participants)

• Create a 3D diorama (shoe box size) that showcases the life and work of a famous scientist. Your diorama should help viewers understand who the scientist was, what they discovered, and why their work is important today. For inspiration, please refer to Mrs Lim’s dioramas on Level 2 of the Senior Centre!
• Who they are: Name, image/model, and country of origin (if known)
• When they worked: Birth/death dates and period of their key work
• What they did: Major discoveries/contributions and why they matter
• Why you admire them: A 50–100 word paragraph explaining your choice and their impact
• Bonus marks:
  ⭐ Working/moving model
  ⭐ Female scientist
  ⭐ Interactive feature (QR code, quiz, lift-the-flap, light, sound)

 Thursday 27th August Lunch: Spelling Bee

Come and watch the Spelling Bee in the Amphitheatre for your chance to win many prizes! If you would like to compete in the Spelling Bee, please sign-up via the following form: 

2026 Spelling Bee – Fill in form

Friday 28 August 2026: Mufti Dress Up Day

Come dressed as your favourite book or STEM character or Scientist! We will be handing out awards for costumes which catch our eye! There will be prizes for best dressed in each year group.

IMPORTANT: if you decide not to dress up as a character, then you need to wear your normal school uniform. So, this is only a mufti day for people who dress up as a character.

Have a lovely weekend, and please reach out to your daughters’ Luminary or myself if you have any questions.