But Jesus said to them,

“The kings of the gentiles lord it over them,

and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you

must become like the youngest

and the leader like one who serves.

Luke 22:25-26

Jesus’ challenge to his Apostles, and to us, is to see leadership in a different way to how it is usually offered to us in our modern world. In Year 8 there are many opportunities for students to engage in what our church would call ‘servant leadership’. Sometimes these leaders have been given an official title, and sometimes natural leaders arise as the year progresses.

As we begin the final term of Year 8, one of the challenges facing our students is to remain focused on this year, whilst also preparing for Year 9. There are two major highlights in Term 4 for our Year 8 students:

• Headstart

The Headstart program begins on Monday 24 November and is designed to introduce current Year 8 students to their subjects for Year 9. Of course, students have chosen a range of electives for Year 9, so this will be their first experience of those subjects. For all their subjects, Headstart provides an opportunity to prepare for the learning opportunities of Year 9, and to begin the transition into 2026.

• Year 8 Dance Battle

This activity invites every Year 8 Homeroom to compete with the year level by preparing a dance performance. The Dance Battle reaches its climax on Wednesday 26 November when all the dances are presented and judged accordingly. Students are responsible for all their own choreography, costuming and music. Each Homeroom has been rehearsing during lunchtimes, and the quality of dancing so far has been extraordinary.

We are blessed in Year 8 to have many genuine servant leaders, and their support for one another, for their teachers and for Kilbreda College has been enormous throughout 2025.

Bill Fitzsimons

Level Leader: Year 8