Junior School Report – Term 2 Week 8

Our Year 7 and 8 students have had a busy and rewarding term so far, engaging in a range of activities that build skills, values, and connections with our wider school community.

In Year 8 Homegroups, students have been focusing on empathy and the school value of responsibility, with a particular emphasis on social responsibility. They have explored important topics such as homelessness and local aid campaigns, encouraging thoughtful discussion about how we can support those in need within our community. Students have also been engaging with Child Protection Curriculum topics, including being safe online and understanding gender representations. These lessons have been well received and have sparked some rigorous and thoughtful discussions.

In Mathematics, our Year 7 students have been learning about financial maths, investigating best buys and applying their skills to calculate the cost of a slice of pizza. As a fun and practical extension of this learning, Mrs Seidel’s class made their own pizzas in Home Economics, using mathematical skills to weigh and measure ingredients and calculate costs. It was a fantastic way to see maths in action! Mrs Gaunt’s class look forward to making their pizzas in the coming weeks.

In English, our Year 7 students have been working on their Soap Box Oral task with Miss Travers. All students did a fantastic job presenting their speeches. While some chose to deliver light-hearted and humorous topics, the majority focused on serious and thought-provoking issues. This task helped students build confidence in public speaking and learn how to communicate their ideas clearly and persuasively.

In Health, both Mrs Skinner and Mrs Pech have introduced the Embrace Kids program to our Year 7 and 8 classes. This exciting initiative focuses on building positive body image, self-acceptance, and resilience. The program will continue to be a key focus for the remainder of the term, alongside the SHINE program, which supports students’ learning about relationships, respect, and wellbeing.

As this week marks the end of Semester 1, students are busy finalising their tasks and preparing for the new timetable. For our Year 7 students, this means a change in electives — they will swap between Food Technology and Wood Technology to Digital Technologies and Creative Arts. We encourage parents and caregivers to check their child’s continuous assessment on Sentral and to contact teachers directly if they have any questions or would like further information about their child’s progress.

Our students have also continued to take part in the Premier’s Be Active Challenge, working towards their goal of 60 minutes of activity, five days a week — helping to build healthy habits and support overall wellbeing.

We are proud of the enthusiasm and effort our Year 7 and 8 students are showing this term and look forward to sharing more highlights soon!

8/9 Science – Term Highlights

This term in Science, our Year 8 and Year 9 classes have been busy exploring the wonders of biology and chemistry through engaging lessons and hands-on investigations.

Year 8 students have been diving into the microscopic world of cells and discovering how organ systems work together to keep the human body functioning. A particular highlight has been their study of the cardiovascular system, where students learned how to keep their hearts happy and healthy. One of the most memorable activities was the sheep heart dissection, giving students the chance to see firsthand how the heart’s chambers connect to major veins and arteries.

Meanwhile, Year 9 students have been developing their understanding of the structure of atoms and the periodic table. They recently completed a practical investigation into the law of conservation of mass, where they measured and analysed chemical reactions to observe how mass is conserved. This hands-on approach helped bring abstract concepts to life and build confidence in scientific thinking.

It’s been a term full of curiosity, learning, and discovery across both year levels!

Sarah Philp - Science Teacher 

Year 8B Hass

This is our Year 8B Class' Minecraft city. Students were tasked to design a city, taking into consideration what kind of industries would be found in the city, and then justify their decisions in their written assignment. The written component also asked them to consider how we could manage urban sprawl and make the city more sustainable. 

Ben Hussell - HASS Teacher