From the Principal
National Science Week
There has been a cornucopia of Science activities throughout the School to celebrate National Science Week. Secondary School students have walked, run and cartwheeled across oobleck pools, participated in a paper plane challenge, and those in Year 7 have explored the galaxies in a planetarium installed in Redlands Hall. The Science behind the oobleck pools was so fascinating that I was compelled to gain a first-hand experience!
Students have heard from a number of Redlands parents and other professionals working in the field of Science. On Monday, Year 10 students learnt about genetics from Redlands parent Dr Kylie de Boer, on Tuesday Year 8 learnt about gravity from Professor Jason Twamley and tomorrow morning, Year 7 students will hear from Redlands parent Dr Larry Marshall, Chief Executive of the CSIRO. This morning, a large number of students from all Year Groups attended Breakfast with a Scientist in Redlands Hall, where six Redlands parents shared the very diverse careers that can result from a study of Science. These included Professor Ian Kerridge and his career in haematology; Dr Melanie Zeppel (parent and Redlander, Class of 1989) and her initial career in plant physiology, data analysis and climate change and now in genomic medicine and health economics; Duncan MacDonald, from zoology to geology; Jay Cunningham and physiotherapy; Susan Calvert and environmental science; and Peter Bailey and engineering.
Last week, our Scientist-in-residence, Dr Alana Wylie, visited the Junior and Preparatory Schools. She spoke with Junior School students about pioneering scientists from the past whose work has made a significant difference to the way we live today, and worked with Preparatory School students to undertake specific experiments and other activities to develop their problem solving skills.
I sincerely thank all parents and other speakers for sharing their time and passion for Science with our students, expanding their skills and horizons. Thank you also to Coordinator of Science, Sarah Harrisson, Dean of Teaching and Learning P-6, Nigel Coutts, and all of the Science teachers involved in this stimulating incursion of scientific enrichment for our students.
Sailing
I am delighted to advise that commencing with this coming summer sports season, we will be working in partnership with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Kirribilli for our Sailing program. Redlands will be the first school to ever work with this esteemed and prestigious sailing organisation and we look forward to a long and fruitful association. Redlander Locky Pryor, 2008 Sports Captain and Sailing Captain, will be working with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron to ensure the smooth transition and success of the Sailing program for our Junior and Secondary School sailors.
ISA Semi Finals
This weekend, we have 19 teams contesting the ISA Semi Finals in Football, Netball, Rugby and Hockey, including our Firsts teams for Football (Girls), Netball, Hockey and Rugby, all of our Girls Football teams, a number of Boys Football teams, and most of our Netball teams. I wish all teams all the very best in this penultimate challenge. Last weekend our Netball Firsts team played with intense determination in their final round against a similarly determined Chevalier opposition. The girls from both teams were playing to settle 3rd and 4th positions in Division 1. Our girls led throughout the game, but there was rarely more than 5 goals difference at any point in the game. Concentration lapses might well have been fatal and cool heads under pressure were evident from both teams. The same strong qualities of strength, fitness, courage, cool heads, teamwork, skills and spirit will again be called upon this Saturday when they meet Barker College. I encourage all teams this Saturday to look to the example set by our Netball Firsts and play as though it was the final itself.
I encourage all students whose ISA winter competition has now finished to go and support our teams in their quest to reach the Finals and remind student supporters that they must be well dressed and tidy in their school uniforms, as they too will be representing our School.
Dr Peter Lennox
Photo caption: Wonderment and awe in oobleck pools during Australian Science Week.