Hello Year 8 families, 

It’s hard to believe that it is Week 3 already – time is flying!

USING THE ASSESSMENT CALENDAR TO SUPPORT YOUR YEAR 8 STUDENT

You will find attached to this Bulletin a copy of the Term 3 Assessment Calendar. This document outlines all task due dates for every subject. During assembly this week, I spoke to Year 8s about how this calendar can be used to help them plan their time and study load, and emphasised the importance of ensuring that their family is also aware of the work that is upcoming for each of them.

Being organised and planning ahead is not something that happens by accident! Even our most self-motivated students benefit from gentle check ins and encouragement at times. It would beneficial to review the Assessment Calendar with your Year 8 student and consider placing a hard copy in a visible place in your home as a reference point.

Also, please remember that the Learning Hub is open before or after school each day for WIN (What I Need) Time from 8am to 3.30pm, with teacher aides onsite to assist with class work as an additional support.

OUR CURRENT YEAR 8 FOCUS – WHAT’S YOUR MOUNTAIN?

During our Year Level assembly, Year 8s were asked to reflect on a current academic goal for the term: “What’s your mountain?”, or “What are you aiming for?”

Our focus is on being a learner, and we discussed the importance of reviewing their report card and selecting a subject to focus on in the coming weeks. Students were asked to set a goal that related to one of the following:

• Behaviour
• Consistency of effort during class
• Applying feedback for gradual improvement
• Seeking additional help when needed
• Being organised for class (eg. charged iPad, locating class work, book pen)
• Meeting due dates
• Applying specific feedback to better meet criteria (improving from C to B, or B to A)

Please check in with your Year 8 student regarding their current academic goal. Moving forward, we will revisit and reflect upon ways students can work towards success in their chosen area, and how they can seek support or assistance. 

As always, please contact myself or another member of the Year 8 team at any time so we can continue to work together to support your Year 8 student’s success. Hope to see as many families as possible at Student-led conferences on 8 August also. This is an important opportunity for teachers, students and families to collaborate together. 

Dear Year 8 Parents.

We would like to remind all Year 8 families about the importance of digital safety and the appropriate use of the iPad.

The iPad is a powerful learning tool and when used responsibly allows students to complete a high amount of work in an online digital space, which is transferable between home and school

Students need to ensure that their One-App, TEAMS, Notability, SEESAW and email applications are working consistently. If students notice any concerns with these apps and device problems which inhibits their school work they should seek school IT support immediately.

We encourage all family to delete and restrict any applications such as Snapchat, Tik Tok, Omegle and many other which expose and distract students. Parents should also do regular checks on student devices to ensure that they aren’t using VPNs to access inappropriate material.

Year 8 teachers and staff do regular checks on student devices to ensure VPNs aren’t being used and this will continue.

Hello Year 8 families,

I thought it would be timely to introduce myself to you as another layer of support for our students as we move through Semester 2. My name is Bryce Berrell and I am the Head of Department for Student Wellbeing, Engagement and Learning for Year 7 & 8 at Foxwell State Secondary College. I have been at Foxwell SSC since the beginning of 2022, working in the Head of Year space across Year 8 in 2022 and Year 7 in 2023. My main passion as an educator is to support and offer opportunities to our students in hopes of providing them a platform to reach their ultimate success, whatever that may be.

Outside my work in the Head of Year/Head of Department space, I am an English and Drama teacher and have a love for all things Arts. Arts education holds a special place in my heart, and I personally believe that each student, no matter their abilities, can embrace creativity whether theatrically, musically or artistically.

I would like to thank the Year 8 team for a very warm welcome to the Year 8 space over the past few weeks. I am excited to continue my work in this space over the course of this Semester and meet as many Year 8s as possible. I wish all Year 8 students the very best of luck for Term 3… and beyond.