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We hope that your time at Somerville will be part of this daring adventure called life, and a time to become better prepared for the part of the adventure that lies ahead.
Welcome to Year 8! We hope that you will enjoy your last year at Somerville and that you will give your best effort in all you do, as this will ensure that you get the most out of your education at Somerville! Our school is a very busy place, as you will no doubt have realized by now, and it really is up to each and every student to make the most of the many opportunities available to them.
As with the Year 7 classes, we have 4 year 8 syndicates which operate independently in many ways – a bit like a ‘school within a school’. They are Syndicates E, F, G and H. Three syndicates are made up of 4 classes and one syndicate of 3 classes.
In year 8, all students get the opportunity to delve deeper into 4 of the 8 Technology and Specialist areas of their choice that they were introduced to in year 7. They spend a term in each of these Technology or specialist classes. All students are involved in a syndicate Authentic Learning Journey, which is based on a fertile or rich question, and this question is explored and fleshed out in an integrated approach to learning, so that it may involve any number of or all of the curriculum areas. Separate units are taught for Science Fair and certain Health topics. All students have a block of Information Literacy Skills (ILS) once a fortnight.
One of the highlights for year 8 students is the EOTC day at Huia in term 1 where all students get involved in team building games, orienteering, abseiling and a bush walk. This is always a great day where students get to know their class mates and teachers a lot better. During term one we also have our school swimming sports day.
During term 2 all students are involved in a Science unit on the scientific method and fair testing. This is in preparation for their Science Fair projects, which are normally due at the beginning of term 3. At the end of term 2 our choir and orchestra take part in the Somerville Music Festival together with a number of the primary schools in our area.
Every second year we have a school production during term 3 in which students with an interest in drama get the opportunity to shine on stage. During the alternate year we host a ‘street party’ in our famous ‘street’. This is an opportunity to celebrate the range of cultural activities at Somerville (visual art, music, dance, drama, kapa haka, etc) and the community is invited to participate. Food and fun add to the cultural mix to make it a great night out! Term 3 is also the trem for participation in the Howick and Pakuranga Dance Festival, the Koanga Festival and school and Eastern Zone speeches.
In term 4 each syndicate hosts an Odyssey evening during which they share the learning and learning experiences that they have been involved in during their ALJs throughout the year. This is also the term during which we have school athletics day, APPA festival for choir members, the Year 8 Graduation Dance and Prize Giving ceremonies.
Throughout the year a variety of sport s opportunities are available for students. These include rugby, netball, cross country, water polo, hockey, softball, cricket, squash and a range of other sports. All in all a great range of opportunities – GO FOR IT AND HAVE FUN!
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