Wow - what a start to Term 4!

Firstly, I was so proud to see how many Room 14 students took part in the production. I really enjoyed the performance on the Wednesday night. From on stage, to singing, to backstage help, over half the class was involved. Such great commitment to take part and many hours went in from the writing of the script to the dance rehearsals. Well done to all involved!!
Last week we had our school athletic sports on an initial cold and miserable day which turned into a perfect afternoon for the finals. A special well done to Hamish who finished second overall in the Under 13 boys, and to all the students who have now qualified for the North Zone sports next Tuesday. I look forward to watching how you all perform at the next level.
Our class Rippa team is up and running on a Monday night. It is great to see so many involved in this till the end of term. Go Dixon's Dinosaurs!! Next week we start our Inter-class Touch competition where the class will play every other Year 8 class in a round robin competition throughout the week. Other sporting highlights this term will include our Year 8 Triathlon challenge in Week 5. 

In class all Year 8 classes are writing a fantasy genre story called Escape from Kraznir for our narrative writing, Students are scaffolded through the story but have the opportunity to take it in other directions with sub plots and ideas that they develop. Think - Lord of the Rings - genre of writing. The first challenge was for them to develop their own character as the leader of the spies. Some have used online tools such as heromachine and marvel to generate ideas, others have drawn their  own character and these are now on display in the classroom - see the photos below! As we begin writing this unit we will share snippets with you. 

Our major theme this term is called Challenge - Health related looking at the challenges and decision making our young people will have to make as their transition into  the next stage of their lives. As part of this unit we have had Community Senior Constable John Summerfield in to talk to all classes about keeping ourselves safe online. We will be looking at Cybersafety issues, UCAP - puberty update, and also with the support of the Life Education Bus, the impact of Drugs and Alcohol. I encourage students to discuss and share what we are learning at school and for parents to have follow up chats with their child throughout the term. It was great to see parents supporting our first Cybersafety parents seminar on Wednesday night.

Later this term highlights will include the following exciting end of year activities for our Year 8 students:

* Class challenge Outdoor Education Day

* Class Lip sync

* Whole school swim

* School Talent Quest

* Year 8 Social

* Life Bus Visits

Rippa has begun and our class team - Dixons Dinosaurs - are two wins from two so far! It is a busy and exciting term ahead to finish our year. Time will fly by and before we know it the last day - Thursday 16th December, will be here.

Lisa Dixon:)