Head of Secondary School
One aspect of Redlands I have come to really appreciate over the past few months is the authentic focus on student voice and student perspective. Understanding students’ educational experiences and desires is critical to their formation. They are a values-driven generation who want to pursue lifestyles and careers which align with their values. They learn when there is a clear purpose and when what they are learning brings meaning to their life. And thus, our mission to engage them, and to grow them, as young people who seek to be engaged, is so important. There are a variety of ways we listen to our students’ perspectives and hear their voice at Redlands. No doubt they will tell you that we frequently survey them. We do! And perhaps they do sometimes suffer from survey-fatigue, but this is a quick way to take their pulse on certain issues. We also talk with them: during Tutor time, in class, in the playground, in clubs and at sport. Next term we look forward to relaunching the Student Representative Council (SRC). We look forward to our students in Yrs 7-10 leading the way in the relaunch of the SRC and being able to use this platform to practise the art of using their voice.
Paul Dillon’s visit to the School was very much appreciated by students, staff and parents this week. His goal is to ensure that we all have access to good quality information and best practice drug education. Our Year 10-12 students engaged in a variety of age-appropriate presentations in order to support them to reduce risks and stay safe. Paul’s humorous and direct way of speaking was well received by our senior students. As part of our professional learning commitment to our teachers, staff also took part in a session designed to assist them to converse with students about practising safe behaviours in the pastoral care space. On Monday night, we were so pleased that so many parents could join us for Paul’s presentation on vaping, entitled “Short and Sweet”, either in person or via a live-stream. Paul’s information and advice was helpful and enabling. Paul’s blog is a great space to access the topical issues of the day, and where he addresses some of the questions and queries he is regularly asked by those attending his presentations.
It was great to be able to pop by and meet Yr 7 parents at the first Parent Tech Info Session on Tuesday morning. Our resident eSafety expert, Ms Wendy Duckworth, led the session on supporting students to self-manage digital devices. I think everyone agreed that ‘self-management’ is closely supported by ‘parent-management’, which is key to ensuring the development of good habits, when it comes to using a laptop, phone or ipad. I look forward to popping into some more of these sessions which appear to be hugely beneficial and also a great way to connect.
On Wednesday morning I had the pleasure of an early morning breakfast with the Redlands Cross Country Team before they headed off for their competition. They had glorious weather and no-one rolled their ankle! Huge congratulations go to Amber Kusano (Yr 7), Isaac Brooks (Year 9), Olivia Vigneault (Yr 11) and Emma Mahon (Yr 12). Thirteen students made it through to ISA with a few reserves. I was also really pleased to be able to invite James Barrelle (Yr 12) to co-captain the Boys Track and Field with Jonah Koopers, who is currently injured. James has been a wonderful support to the students and well deserves this leadership recognition. A big thank you also goes to Mr Walker and the Sport department for their care and leadership of the students.
After breakfast I moved to lunch! The Redlands Art Luncheon, held yesterday at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, was a wonderful way to support the Belinda Oxley Scholarship Fund. Ms Katharine Boase and Mr Jonathon Gray were superb MCs and being able to hear from Redlanders who now work in the Arts was very special. I was lucky enough to sit with a beautiful group of Yr 11 parents who made me feel very welcome. There are plans afoot for a therapy-dog!
Last night it was also wonderful to meet with so many Yr 10 students and parents at the Yr 10 into Yr 11 Subject Evening. I want to thank those parents who were asked to attend the evening slightly later so we could more comfortably accommodate everyone in the Hall and Gym. Having fewer people meant we students and parents could access each other more easily and I was able to spend the latter part of the evening listening in to some wonderfully reflective conversations about the future. Earlier in the evening, I encouraged Yr 10 to keep an open mind, when it comes to making decisions about their program of study and subjects. The final part of my message is here for you to consider and underscores the holistic education we value at Redlands: “The next two years are important, but they alone will not determine the course of your life. Know this: with your parents, we want you to leave school whole and happy people. We want you to graduate as young people who know who you are and put others first, as people who have a strong sense of community and strong values. We want you to be your best selves, and we want this more for you than ‘high marks’ or a ‘high ATAR’. If you give us your best self, with all the ups and downs this brings, you will achieve and you will have plenty of opportunities to pursue in the future.”
Today I spoke to Yr 8 during Tutor time about an exciting opportunity for interested students to engage in a ‘Futurepreneurs Masterclass’ to be held on June 9 at Canva HQ. Details can be found here, and interested students have been invited to email Ms Vale their expressions of interest.
I am looking forward to A Night at the Movies, the Redlands Senior Musical Festival, being held at The Concourse Chatswood, tomorrow night. I have my ticket propped up on my desk with the details of the evening. This will be an exciting evening and another opportunity to hear the students’ voices, in song or instrumentally. I can’t wait!
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811