Year 10

Key Dates

Welcome Back!

I hope you and your family all had a relaxing holiday. The term has started strongly with excellent representation of Yr 10 at the Anzac Day Assembly. Lucy Horton and Jamison Houchell both spoke at the Anzac Assembly and reflected upon what Anzac Day meant for them. They spoke with genuine passion and authenticity with Jamison talking about his Grandma’s Great Uncles – Ernest and Horace – and their involvement in World War 1 and Lucy talking about how we, as individuals, can broaden our scope in thinking of the challenges faced by present and emerging veterans, and how we can respond as a community by seeing ANZAC values for their eternity. Extracts from their speeches are highlighted under Student Achievements. 

Academic Assessment Services Testing 

On 29 April, Yr 10 students will sit a half day of testing provided by Academic Assessment Services from 8.30am-12.00pm. As independent consultants, they specialise in the assessment and analysis of educational performance and progress. Their team of professionals includes measurement and curriculum experts, education experts and teachers who will provide guidance in the development of strategic action plans for each student. Parents will also be posted a copy of the results. If your child misses the assessment, catch ups will be offered on 6 May at 8.30am.

Winter School Uniform 

Just a friendly reminder that all students are to wear their winter school uniform this term, including blazers to and from school. The Redlands woolen school jumpers can be worn underneath blazers as an extra layer of warmth. 

Arnhem Land Trip Sign Up

Just a friendly reminder that there is still time to register for the Arnhem Land Trip: ‘Midawarr’, which will occur during the July holidays. (25 June-3 July). 

Following on from last year’s culturally immersive ‘Midawarr’ Redlands incursion, the Midawarr trip is a complete cultural immersion, which will involve Yr 10 participants travelling to NE Arnhem Land for a unique Yolŋu experience. Conducted in partnership with remote communities on traditional land, Midawarr participants are taken on a journey that provides first-hand knowledge of what it’s like to connect to Country and see the world through the eyes and hearts of Yolŋu.

The booking form along with further information about the trip including a draft itinerary can be located here.

Once the booking form is complete, please sign and email to info@culturecollege.org.

Student Achievements

Below are extracts from Lucy Horton and Jamison Houchell’s moving Anzac Day speeches which they both read together at the Anzac Day Assembly. Congratulations again to both students for the time they took throughout the holidays to construct their speeches and their meaningful words which brought to light their personal connection to Anzac Day. Both Lucy and James spoke with such confidence, poise and passion. 

Lucy Horton

“I connect with ANZAC as a 21st century listener and learner. While I haven’t experienced war, I do have an interest in Veterans’ Affairs, and believe that it is our common humanity that helps us empathise with soldiers like Horace and Ernest, and commits us to supporting other veterans like them today.

So, how can we connect with ANZAC? One thing we can all do is try to uncover a personal connection, whether it is family or a cause to be passionate about, and take the time to really investigate it; we can ask questions and listen to loved ones and to veterans as they share their memories, knowledge and experiences. 

The more we know about a particle’s position in the past, the harder it is to track its momentum presently.

We can’t propel the ANZAC story into the future without knowing the historical trajectory it’s been on. Just as we can’t see the full dimension of the Battle of Fromelles without looking at its consequence here and now. So look. Look and listen. 

We can watch it as it travels. We can fuel it.”

Jamison Houchell

Listening to my grandma talk about Horace and Ernest made me realise a few things about service. Firstly, that those who fight in war are more than a statistic. A lot of the time we focus on the sheer scale of events through numbers and facts, but lose sight of the people behind them; the heroes of ANZAC were real men like Horace and Ernest who had their own hopes, dreams and flaws.

Secondly, I learned that service leaves a mark; it has a ripple effect not only on those who serve, but also on their loved ones and the communities that support them. Horace and Ernest’s family were devastated to lose one of their beloved sons to war, as well as another who went missing and was never to be heard from again.

Well done Jamison and Lucy!

Anzac Day Flag Bearers

Well done to Oliver Kesby, James Whelan and Mark Danse for being excellent Flag Bearers at the Anzac Day Assembly. They assisted with the opening of the assembly, walking with special guests and Executive to and from the stage. 

Success for Ellie

Ellie Trueman competed at the Regional Academy Hockey Games last weekend. Her Sydney Metro Academy Hockey Team played incredibly well and came home with the Gold medal. Congrats Ellie!

Term 2 – Ignite

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected for the Term 2 Ignite team. Students will collaboratively work together to formulate activities and lessons based upon our Term 2 Pastoral focus which is on ‘Resilience, Mindfulness and Gratitude.’

• Lucy Horton
• Jessica Marshall
• Sarah Kumpulainen
• Helena Dracakis
• Sabrina Blasco
• Corey Twining
• Lachlan Scott 
• Harley Van Der Pluijm  
• Will Natilli 
• Daniel Close 
• Claudia Lalich
• Finn Woodward 
• Maya Little

Mr Nicholas Walker
Acting Yr 10 Advisor
nwalker@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133