Head of Early Childhood

Kindergarten Bush School

As Bush School finishes for another year, the Prep staff would like to extend their thanks to the dedicated team of parents who assisted each week to watch over our Kindergarten children while they played and learned. Thank you to Jennie Cadman, Bree Stevens, Jon Carey, Elizabeth Cameron, Holly Buhman, Tiffany Noakes, Natasha Williams, Joe Russo, Tracey Menegazzo, Denby Casey, Jean Martin, Anna Pope and Keith Miller who supported the staff and children. Parent volunteers are essential to the smooth and safe running of this exciting program.

Strings Concert

Congratulations to each and every student involved in the Yr 2 Strings Concert last Monday afternoon. I would like to acknowledge the teachers and students, it is a significant achievement performing to an audience after learning an instrument for only six months. Thank you to Mr Warby and all the Strings teachers for the wonderful effort that has gone into making the Strings program such a success.

Author Visit

Last Thursday, Prep were fortunate to host a special guest at Redlands. Author/illustrator, Sally Rippin, spoke to Yr 1 and Yr 2 students about her journey to become a writer. She emphasised that she started young, about the age they are, making little books for her family and friends. Sally told them about her constant use of a notebook and showed them her current one. Sally then talked about the evolution of her books Billie B. Brown and Hey Jack. We anticipate her latest series Polly and Buster will become a new favourite with the students. I must congratulate the students who showed respectful listening behaviours and their insightful questioning was testament to the high level of engagement during the presentation. A special thanks to the Prep Teacher/Librarian, Mrs Roberts, who organised this event for the students.

“I like your books because they are really funny and when there’s a problem you solve the problem and you describe the characters. I like that if something is wrong in the draft, you keep trying and trying and then you get it right”. Oliver

“Thanks for the amazing tips on writing. Some of us have already started keeping our ideas in a special book. I enjoyed it when you came. Redlands is a very special school to have you come and visit”. Mia

Clubs

Clubs will recommence in Term 3 on Wednesday 1 August. All students and families were given this information at the beginning of the year. Teachers will remind students of their new Club in the first week of Term 3.

Staffing News

Next term, we are delighted to welcome back Mrs Wise who returns to Redlands from her extended maternity leave. A very special thanks must go to Mrs Acland for leading the Early Childhood staff as Prep Counsellor for the past 18 months, offering her wealth of knowledge and expertise to the community. We are so pleased that she will remain at Redlands, assisting the Junior School next semester.

Next term we welcome back Ms Finlayson from Long Service Leave and thank Mrs Barrett for teaching One Silver this term. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Mrs Chipper for taking on the role of Yr 1 Coordinator in Ms Finlayson’s absence.

Thank You

After an industrious Semester, I extend my sincere thanks to all in our community who have contributed to the growth and development of the Preparatory School. I thank the teachers who have placed an enormous amount of effort into the individual needs of the children. It has been wonderful reading through every student’s report to see the gains they have made and this is due to the collaborative efforts of both families and staff. Please do take the time to reflect upon the encouragement teachers have provided students in the General Report comment to reach individual goals for Semester 2. The first iteration of the Canteen Menu has been positive and I thank parents for their supportive feedback. The Finance team and IT department will be diligently working through the holiday period to have the online ordering system ready for Term 3.

It is exciting to see the number of Prep students who will take part in the annual Redlands Cup snowsports event over the last week of the holidays. This year I am looking forward to spending time down in Thredbo and watching the students thrive in another environment. Thank you to those families who give so much of their time to assist the School with this event that has grown significantly in recent years.

For those travelling over the school holiday break, I wish you safe travels. Take time to rest and rejuvenate before Term 3 resumes.

Mrs Audrey Fellowes
Head of Early Childhood
afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848