Year 7

Yr 7 have settled in well to the rhythm of Secondary School life. They are now finding their way around the campus with limited fuss, and they are beginning to form good connections with their teachers and with each other. This week, I have placed emphasis on resilience and “stepping up” with the students. Our Yr 7s are already resilient and most are eagerly anticipating the new experiences on offer on our Senior Campus. Tomorrow, Friday, there will be an Activities Fair during lunchtime in the Fahl Garden and Gym Undercroft. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get a snapshot of the cocurricular clubs on offer. Students who involve themselves in clubs and extra activities, will inevitably build cross grade friendships with like minds. Clubs also give students the opportunity to broaden their interests and develop skillsets in new areas.

Thank you to all parents who tuned into our Yr 7 School Readiness Parent Webinar on Monday evening. The link is available here and also through Pulse on our Yr 7 page, if you would like to review the information and slides.

Ms Alyssha Clarke has accepted the position of Acting Subject Coordinator of Drama and Theatre; consequently, Dr Meta Regis is joining the Yr 7 Wellbeing Team as Assistant Year Advisor. I worked closely with Dr Regis last year supporting our Yr 12 2021 cohort, she is highly capable and generous with her time and she will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Yr 7 Team. Congratulations to both Ms Clarke and Dr Regis on their recent appointments.

Student Organisation

A key to personal and academic success as a Yr 7 student is to be well organised. To support students in their transition, Tutors have worked with students to set up digital subject folders on their laptop. Students are to use icloud to store these folders as having worked stored on the desktop can be easily lost if the laptop is damaged (& needs to go to Apple) or lost. Please check in with your son and daughter and discuss the importance of cloud storage for their schoolwork.

Expectations and Friendships

This week, our Head of Secondary School, Ms Gemma Van de Peer addressed Yr 7 at our Year Meeting. She spoke with students about the expectations for their behaviour as Secondary School students and she did so with her trademark humour and warm presence. Ms Van de Peer also suggested to students that they be open to broadening their friendship circles, particularly, encouraging students from Redlands Junior School to be open to making new friends with students new to Redlands this year. Ms Van de Peer then took questions from the floor and students showed that they greatly appreciated their time with her.

School Uniform

The Redlands uniform creates an identity for the School and gives students a sense of belonging. Wearing the uniform with pride, means our students are respecting and buying into our Redlands Vision, Mission and Values. For this reason, all students are to ensure their uniform meets regulations. Please refer to pages 19-20 in the 2022 Student Planner for further information.

Art Competition

Secondary School Individual Portraits and Sibling Photos – Friday 4 March.

On Friday 4 March, Year 7 to 12 students will be accompanied by their Year Advisors to Redlands Hall for portrait photos after 8.20am. If your child is unable to have their portrait taken on 4 March Please inform your Year Advisor.  A catch-up date for missed portraits will be offered on 18 March at school,  or by appointment with Melba Studios, located in Artarmon.

Secondary School Sibling Photos will take place on 4 March from 7.15am-8.20am in Redlands Hall. If you would like to order Sibling Photos, please click here, enter the password ‘ALLISTER’ and select Siblings Order Form before 23 February.

All students are required to be wearing their full school uniform, including blazers. Boys must be clean shaven with hair that has been cut so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Girls with hair touching the collar should tie it back with navy accessories (elastics, ribbon, scrunchies). No hair dye, make-up or nail polish is permitted. No jewellery is to be worn other than one pair of plain gold or silver studs in ear lobes.

If you have any questions, alterations or additional orders, please contact Melba Studios directly on (02) 9438 4566 or email sales@melbastudios.com.au.

Ms Sarah Matthews
Yr 7 Advisor
smatthews@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6494