Head of Preparatory School

Welcome to 2022

A big welcome to all our new Redlands families and to our returning community. I have tried to think of the right words to express how the Prep staff and I felt on day one welcoming everyone back to campus, I can only think of one, pure JOY. Nothing beats seeing new faces, taller friends, toothless grins and excited teachers on first day back. Thank you for all bringing such enthusiasm and excitement through our doors this week. We all look forward to taking this Prep journey with you in 2022. I look forward to building connection with you all this year

I would like to take the opportunity through Note Day to highlight some key areas that may need reminders. Now that the dust has settled on week one, can I please encourage everyone to re-read my communication letter that was sent last week, it contains answers to lots of questions that have filtered through this week. As always, we are only a phone call or email away if you are confused about any detail. As I always say, come to the source!

Tips on starting the year positively and calmly

A message from Rachel Clark, School Counsellor

A fresh start to a fresh year, and a fresh class, no doubt brings lots of excitement, but some nerves and jitters are completely natural too. Here are 5 tips to help your child navigate the ups and downs that comes with transitioning back to school:

As much as we would like to live out the rest of 2022 in holiday mode, try establish a solid back-to-school routine. Guided by your knowledge of what best supports your child, you could set up a practical chart of getting ready, including what needs to be done each day for school (such as waking up, eating breakfast, getting dressed), and brainstorm together what your child could do on their own. Don’t forget healthy habits around sleep (around 9-11 hours each night), exercise, and diet.
Let your child unwind after the school day. If your child is quite active, get them out and about to blow off some steam. If they respond better to quiet time, ensure they have a comfortable, relaxing space in the house where they can retreat to manage their thoughts and emotions at the end of the day.
After they have had the chance to decompress, make time to re-connect with them to debrief about the day, giving them your undivided attention. You could try saying something like, ‘Tell me one good thing about your day’, or ‘Anything that concerned you today?’ rather than asking a lot of questions.
It’s common for children to take some time to settle into a new class. Especially if your child is feeling apprehensive about this transition, encourage them to try to be patient and open minded when spending time with their classmates, and perhaps offer to organise a play date to help facilitate new friendships.
Remind them of the names of people who can support them at school (their Teacher, Principal, Dean of Students, and School Counsellor), so they are aware of who to turn to if things get tricky. We are here to help!

Prep Information Sessions

10 February , 5pm-6pm

Please find the zoom links below for the K-2 parent information sessions for 10 February 2022, 5pm-6pm. These sessions will begin with a welcome from myself, Deans of Teaching and Learning and Well being. Parents will then move into their grade session where you will meet teachers and hear about all the growth and development that is going to happen this year for your child plus all the fun that they will have doing it. The chat room will be available for any questions throughout the session. We look forward to seeing you all online next week.

First session: 5pm Welcome to Prep Parent Information session.

https://redlands.zoom.us/j/95563077025

Second session: Kindergarten Information session:

https://redlands.zoom.us/j/91950117500

Second session: Yr 1 Information session:

https://redlands.zoom.us/j/93516633874

Second session: Yr 2 Information session:

https://redlands.zoom.us/j/93252894978

Masks

Thank you to all our families who have been so supportive with sending your child ready for the day with their mask on. Can I please ask that ‘have you got your mask’ becomes part of your child’s morning routine. It is also incredibly helpful if they carry a spare mask in their bag please.

Afternoon Pick Up Information

A big thank you to those parents who have written in the diaries each day notifying the teacher as to where their child will be going in the afternoons to be picked up. We will continue to do this for two weeks as we establish our routines.

I know it is lovely to see your teachers in the carpark at carline, but can I please ask parents to stay in their cars when your child is assisted into the back seat and then depart in a timely manner from the car park. If you would like to talk to your teacher, you are very welcome to organise a time to have a conversation. We are very mindful of the congestion that our Prep car line can create if it slowed down at any stage.

If you haven’t been able to download the dashboard sign for car line pick up, please email Prep reception and a template will be emailed to you.

Student Birthdays

We love celebrating birthdays at school with our Prep birthday capes, the birthday box, stickers and singing happy birthday in classes. Promoting healthy eating choices as well ensuring all our students who have health issues are safe are paramount to us, therefore If you would like to have birthday cakes and lolly bags, please keep those for outside of school parties. We all really appreciate all our families respecting this, thank you.

Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8am – 4pm and Thursdays 8am – 6pm.

We would encourage parents to order online through Flexischools, where possible. Orders placed before 5pm will be available after 1pm the following day, Please note that orders placed on Monday will be available on Wednesdays as the shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Orders are now available to be delivered to Prep/Junior School classrooms. Any orders that have not been collected by Friday morning will be sent down to students in their classroom.

If you need an urgent item or need assistance with sizing, we are happy for you to come to the shop and purchase at the door.

A final reminder that students will need to be wearing the new sports polo from Week 4. These are available to purchase at the shop.

If you would like to speak to any of our Uniform Shop team, please call us on 9968 9850.

Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848