Head of Secondary School
It’s been another week teeming with learning and activities on the Senior Campus. It’s also been teeming with rain. Thankfully, our beautiful new building, the Redlands Learning Hub, provides a welcome sanctuary for students on days when they’d rather be inside. When the sun came out yesterday, the students re-emerged from the Hub, and embraced the light and the sunshine.
It was wonderful this afternoon to be able to hold Theatresports on the Fahl Garden, amid the beautiful sunshine. Our participating students were cheered on by supportive parents and teachers, demonstrating their dramatic skill, quick thinking skills, creativity and capacity for fun. It was a wonderful afternoon and the adults were happy to be together, on campus after so long, and in celebration of the students. A big thank you to our Arts Captains and the entire Drama Department for their efforts. Bravo!
Assessments
As mentioned last week, many students spent this week engaged in assessment preparation and delivery. Some have started the feedback process and are reviewing their goals set early in Term 1. Whilst it has been a long term, it is important to take stock prior to the holidays, to reflect on the many learnings and to allow space to move forward into Term 2. One student remarked to me this week that she felt worried after her assessment; she didn’t feel she had performed as well as she could have, she couldn’t get the words out and left the test feeling disheartened. This is a very typical way to feel post-assessment, especially as tiredness from the term sets in. As teachers, we know that the reflection students engage in after the assessment is as important as the task itself. For students, asking questions about how they feel, their thinking, and how they coped under pressure, is an important part of self-management and self-awareness. Being able to respond to these questions, without self-judgement is equally as important. Just because we are feeling something, doesn’t mean we have to own that feeling. We can notice it, and simply let it go. Feeling let down, disheartened or worried after an assessment is normal for students, but it is something they shouldn’t hold on to, for too long. We really appreciate that as parents, you will encourage your children to discuss and unpack their assessments. We also appreciate that you can support them to move on, or move forward so that any negative feelings or self-doubt can dissipate. As I said last week, the act of engaging with an assessment is learning in and of itself. Sitting with something – a feeling, a thought, an experience – is fundamental to being a learner, but so is letting go, and breathing space into one’s understanding of things. Over the next week at school, we look forward to easing the students into the holiday period, so they can breathe some space into their lives and take time to reflect and discern the way forward for Term 2. We will end the term in face-to-face assemblies where the students will both reflect and look forward. Next week, I anticipate sharing some of their reflections with you.
Events
Due to the rain, we were unable to hold the Yr 7 Meet and Greet evening on Monday night but look forward to catching up with our Yr 7 parents in Week 2 of Term 2.
Battle of the Bands is being held on Monday.
International Day is next Tuesday.
The Yr 7 Study Skills evening is being held next Tuesday – 6.00-7.30pm (T1 W10) – parent and student presentation (via Zoom) – more details to be provided shortly. This is a good opportunity to unpack learning in Secondary School and provides tips on how best to support our young people.
On Wednesday evening, the Yr 11 Parent Teacher Night is being held, via Zoom.
We are delighted to host the Redlands Arts Luncheon in celebration of the long history of Creative Arts education at Redlands that includes Visual Arts, Drama, Music, Dance and Design & Technology. This Luncheon will be held on Wednesday 26 May at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli. It is open to all Redlands parents and the wider community and provides a lovely opportunity to once again gather face-to-face as a community in celebration of the Creative Arts at our School. With limited seating, this will be a popular event that sells out fast. Group bookings for tables of 10 are already a popular choice. For further information and to purchase tickets please click here.
Uniform Shop
Please click here for information on the Uniform Shop opening hours and winter uniform.
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9870