Head of Junior School

NSW Sporting Representatives

Following on from the three Junior School students selected to represent NSW Schools last year, we are very proud to have two more students selected so far this year.

Yr 6 student, Hannah Morton, competes again for NSW in the pool at the Australian Swimming Championships in Hobart over this mid-year break. Hannah was selected for this team last year and will be seeking to also defend some of her National swimming titles in this upcoming competition.

We were also thrilled to hear of Jasmine Black’s (Yr 6) selection to the NSW Schools Girls’ Football team as their goalkeeper for the Australian Schools Championships in September. Jasmine was a standout player for the Combined Independent Schools team at the recent State Championships which led to this State selection.

For both girls, I know that their dedication and commitment to training and practice has led to ongoing improvements and achievements and we congratulate them on this State level of representation.

Gallery Walks

This week saw Gallery Walks in Yrs 5 and 6 which aim to provide wonderful opportunities for students to showcase their learning to peers and parents. It was wonderful to see every classroom full of parents who were able to join us and the students were visibly enthralled to be able to share their thinking and learning experiences with both peers and adults. My thanks are extended to teachers and students for their planning and time to organise these special events. Next semester, we will hold similar events for Yrs 3 and 4.

Staffing News

I am delighted to confirm that Mrs Shelly Acland will join our Junior School Counselling team next term. Mrs Acland will work three days a week alongside Mrs Kourakis three days as Junior School Counsellor so that we have a student counsellor available every day. Mrs Acland has been working in the Prep School for the last year in a similar role and is known to some Junior School students and families already. I know that between them, Mrs Acland and Mrs Kourakis will bring a strong level of support for students, staff and families in the important area of wellbeing next semester.

At the end of the week, we say thank you and farewell to Mrs Emily Darcy and Mrs Fiona Rugg who have done a sterling job as Long Service Leave replacements for Mr Baugh and Mrs Ling in our Numeracy Learning Plus department. Mrs Darcy will continue her connection with Redlands in the Prep School and will also be part of our casual teaching team and we hope to see Mrs Rugg in this capacity too.

Redlands Snowsports

Over the break, many Redlands students and families will head down to the snow and I extend my best wishes to all of our Junior School students involved in a variety of events and competitions at the snow over the upcoming break. I look forward to getting updates from Mr Carter and hearing of your efforts and successes next term.

Junior Music Festival

Our annual Junior Music Festival takes place in Week 2 of next term at 4.30pm on Thursday 2 August. This is always one of my highlights of our school year with the involvement of each and every Junior School student. Our cocurricular ensembles and curriculum classes have been eagerly rehearsing and will perform a variety of repertoire that will explore a STEAM theme, celebrating our cross-curriculum learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. 

The event takes place on site in Robert Dunnet Hall with tickets now available via Trybooking. Please note that all cocurricular rehearsals will be cancelled in the week of the Festival (Week 2) in order to facilitate preparation for the concert.

Semester 1 Reports

We are expecting Junior School student reports to be available to parents via the online parent portal Redlands Pulse in the early part of next week. An SMS message will be sent to notify you when they have been uploaded for you to access. Back copies of your son or daughter’s reports are also available via Redlands Pulse. To access the reports parents will need their Redlands Pulse username and password. Parents requiring assistance re user name or password should email pulse@redlands.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.

Do take some time over the break to read through it with your child and acknowledge and celebrate areas of growth and progress. As students return for Term 3, their class teachers will also spend time looking at aspects of goal-setting for the second semester, which they will share at the Three Way Conferences in Weeks 3 and 4.

Happy Holidays

As we approach the mid-year break, I encourage families to take time for rest and relaxation. As is also the case for our staff, these times away from Redlands are very important for all of us as they then allow us to be at our very best when we are here. Rest, in whatever sense, is different for all of us and I hope that the mid-year break allows you to relax and recharge.

To those of you travelling near or far, I wish you safe travels and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday 24 July.  Please note that the Junior School Office will reopen on Monday 23 July.

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022