Year 8 – Mrs Maria Biala

2026 Theme for Year 8 

Giving Back: Do to others what you would have them do to you.

The start of 2026 has been a wonderful one for Year 8. Over the past week, it has been fantastic to welcome the students back and to continue working with them in my role as Instructional Leader of Wellbeing. The girls have settled in well and have already demonstrated a positive, thoughtful and enthusiastic approach to the year ahead.

Wellbeing and Excellence has been the focus of our assemblies, during which students revisited our school expectations and reflected on the importance of respect, responsibility and making positive choices within our community.

As part of this focus, the girls created personal SMART goals for Term 1, encouraging them to think intentionally about what they would like to achieve both academically and personally throughout the Term. They also completed a short wellbeing survey, which will help ensure support is responsive and tailored to the needs of each student and the cohort.

Students also wrote letters to their future selves, which they will open at the end of the year to reflect on their growth, experiences and achievements throughout 2026.

In addition, the girls were given the opportunity to create their first Giving Back cards for the year. This is based around our 2026 Theme of “Giving Back – Do to others what you would have them do to you”. These cards celebrate acts of kindness and positive contributions among peers and will be shared throughout the year. When a card is received, students are encouraged to complete another and pass it on, helping to foster a strong culture of gratitude, encouragement and “paying it forward” within Year 8.

It has been an incredibly positive start and I am so excited for the year ahead and all that Year 8 will achieve together.

Mrs Maria Biala – Instructional Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8