Year 8 Term 2 Update
It has been a big Term for us in Year 8!
Every morning Year 8 staff write different gratitude prompts on the three whiteboard tables in B block for us to respond to; focusing on our school value of connection. We have amazing chats with the lovely Miss Cordwell about gratitude prompts, and she always make as good start for the day for every student.
In English, we have been studying persuasive writing, formulating persuasive texts based on topics of our own choosing. We have been working on our Polynesian expansion unit in HASS, examining the ways in which the Polynesians used a range of navigational strategies, such as star navigation and the use of birds to determine their distance from the land by calculating their respective trip distances, wave and ocean swells. The Year 8s started to explore ratios in Math, then went on to study index laws –all six laws! –and are currently studying numbers and letters in the algebra unit. Algebra has been made simpler by addition and subtracting, multiplying, and dividing, and now we are substituting. In Pastoral Care, Grade 8 students have been learning about emotional intelligence and values, writing gratitude cards for friends and teachers, and learning about regulation strategies we can apply. We have also been having weekly grade assemblies. Our values focus revolves around respect and responsibility; how we can show respect to others as well as taking responsibility for everything in our care.
There were so many highlights from elective classes this Semester. Mr Hampton’s Intro to Outdoor Ed class going on an excursion to Stanley to go fishing –they enjoyed the trip! Arts and Cooking classes worked together to present bodies of work at the school’s arts festival, CreARTivity, in week 10. Sports For Girls travelled to Anytime Fitness to participate in a strength program throughout the Term. A few students in Year 8 have been a part of the Parklands Collective STEM Hub and Greenpower ALP. Greenpower engages students aged 11-16 in designing, building, and racing electric vehicles which can go up to 50km/hr. Greenpower is originally from the UK, however, Mr Edwards has brought it to Australia, leading Green STEM Education and bringing new STEM opportunities to the North-West Coast.
On Friday, May 30th students participated in our annual Cross Country Carnival. Congratulations to Mia B on not just winning the Cross Country for her division but setting a new record for year 8 girls with a time of 27 minutes and 40 seconds! Mia also holds the record for year 7 girls. We also want to say a congratulations to Xavier H for placing first for Year 8 boys! Well done to Mia B, Zoish C, Sienna Y, Xavier H, Rory B, Riley F, Xavier R, and Mitchell E from Year 8, who qualified for the Inter-High Cross Country!
On Tuesday the 17th of June, Year 8 Drama students participated in the 57th Burnie City Eisteddfod Speech and Drama Section, with most students placing or receiving a High Commendation; an exciting feat given this was the first eisteddfod experience for most of us! Over the past few weeks all students have been practising for this eisteddfod, memorising long scripts and working on improvisation skills to help us in the improv sections. Congrats to everyone who participated!
On the 18th of June, some students in Year 8 participated in the parent information night, welcoming the new year sixes of 2026. We all enjoyed the night and had a fun time sharing laughter and knowledge about schooling at PHS with future students.
On Friday June 27th, students watched Mr Smith and Mr Turale participate in the ice bucket challenge, getting covered in different liquids to raise money for MND Day.
Overall, it’s been a huge Term and we cannot wait to see what Term 3 brings!
– Mia A & Mayson R, Grade 8
