Term 2 has been busy and exciting for the Year 8s. As a grade the Year 8s have had some awesome opportunities, including an excursion to PCYC. The PCYC trips were facilitated by Geoff, who ran the students through a gruelling course. Students trudged through water that was waist deep, carried two large logs and a rope for around 6 kms and ultimately learnt what it was like to work as a team. Although there were a few tears, everyone came out of the course with a stronger bond with one another and a feeling of accomplishment and perseverance.

Year 8 has been focusing on increasing our perseverance as a cohort. Perseverance is doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Throughout the PCYC trips we were able to identify numerous instances of people persevering. We have also been trying to identify perseverance within our cohort in everyday situations. That is where our perseverance award comes in. Students were asked to keep an eye out for people they thought were persevering and write their name and what they were doing down and put it into our awards box. At our grade assemblies we pull a name out and they get a canteen voucher. It has been wonderful hearing about how our students are persevering through school challenges and building each other up.

Another area the Year 8s have been focusing is taking pride in our communal space. To ensure that we are proud of the space that we work in we have introduced a roster where each home group tidies our common area once a week. Through doing this we have realised how neat and tidy our space was already being kept and how we can maintain high standards for ourselves throughout the day.

This term has also provided some great learning opportunities regarding the units we have done in our core classes. In history we focused on Vikings, looking at how they lived, and why they explored and settled beyond Scandinavia. In English we have been learning about identity and are answering the question ‘what are the factors that could potentially have an impact on your future?’. In Mathematics we learnt about Algebra, just recently finishing that unit and are now moving into graphing. In Science we have been learning about chemical reactions.

I went around Year 8 to ask what they personally enjoyed the most about Term 2. Bethany from 8A said that she really enjoyed English and the Cross Country track and believes everyone nailed it. Also the Year 8 area has been kept very clean too. October from 8E said that they like their teachers, they are all very nice and welcoming. Also very comforting when they are crying or upset as well as drama being a safe space. Maddie from 8D said all the P.E units and carnivals that have been and are coming. As well as all teachers being very encouraging for you to do your best and keep going. Jack from 8C said that he enjoyed the involvement and inclusiveness at the swimming carnival throughout the day. Everyone has been including and encouraging everyone to get up and have a go at the units. Everyone has had a pretty good attitude about it all. Bobby from 8B said that at MDT they’ve been making stools together taking it in turns using the laser cutter and helping each other catch up to one another. We look forward to what the rest of the year has to hold for Year 8.

Gi'Annie Kingdon & Mrs Zoe Smith