Head of Secondary School

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New Normal – Next week we re-engage with typical routines

In Week 6 we return to our typical routines and practices in the Secondary School. It’s wonderful, but also a little scary, to even utter the word ‘normalcy’ but we are going to try and engage ‘normally’ in Week 6. The students have been incredible this week, despite the rain. They have utilised the gym and the active play opportunities offered in this space by our Sport coaches. Yr 11 and 12 have been model stewards of the Redlands Learning Hub, cleaning up after themselves and being respectful of the space. Yrs 9 and 10 have demonstrated their agility in shifting playgrounds and impressed us with their maturity. In the coming weeks, we look forward to introducing some additional handball courts on Redlands Lane and further opening up the campus for student access.

Times of the School Day Return to Normal

Uniform

In Week 6 students will need to wear their Summer Uniform to school each day except Thursday, when they may wear their Sport uniform. On all other days, if students have PDHPE during the day or training before/after school, they will need to utilise the change rooms.

Details about getting changed for PE lessons and sport training can be found on page 21 of the Student Planner.

Online Behaviour

Our online or digital conduct is important. Respectful and responsible use of digital spaces is essential and we regularly talk with students about how they navigate this space. Mean, rude, profane or hurtful comments written about another person online are as inappropriate as when uttered in person and students who engage in this sort of conduct collide with the Redlands values. WhatsApp, SnapChat, Skype, Instagram, Google – whatever medium we use – be it our phone or our laptop, inappropriate comments won’t be tolerated. At Redlands, we find that regular and repeated conversations about online behaviour are necessary, as is ongoing learning opportunities for students. On Monday 14 March, ySafe will be coming to Redlands to present eSafety Seminars for students in Yr 7-10. Parents can also find support via the School’s Online Safety Hub. We strongly encourage parents to:

• Regularly audit your child’s phone (all year groups)
• Issue consequences for inappropriate use of phone or computer
• Carve out no-phone time for the family and suggest other ways for ‘down-time’
• Normalise FOMO – it’s okay not to know what is being said in an online chat – being across every single comment is exhausting, anxiety-inducing and unhealthy

Camp is Coming

As Year 7, 8 and 12 ready themselves for camp, we are aware that students respond differently in how they approach this experience. Our counselling and pastoral team have created this infographic for Year 7, and parents may also find this Judith Locke article useful as it offers some recommendations for parental approaches.

I wish Yr 7 all the very best with their Camp next week and look forward to joining them in the latter half of the week. Thankfully Jindabyne has not received as much rain as we have in Sydney, and I am so excited about building connections (indoors and out) with the newest members of the Redlands student community.

Supporting your Child’s Transition into Secondar School Webinar

It was wonderful to have so many Year 7 parents and carers join us for this week’s webinar on supporting transition to high school, led by our counsellors and Dean of Students. All parents can access the brief 30-minute webinar here, where valuable insights can be found about:

• Developmental changes
• Managing self-consciousness and sensitivity
• Adjusting to a new learning environment
• Personal discipline, motivation and organisation
• Normalising discomfort and FOMO
• Being mindful of the parent role – how you step in and when

Culture College: Indigenous Cultural Immersion Trip for Years 10 and 11

Following our work with Culture College in recent years, and with some travel restrictions to NT still in place, we are delighted to offer a NSW based cultural immersion experience in the April holidays.

Based on Dharug Country near Wiseman’s Ferry, and with the support and involvement of Dharug and Yuin elders and community members, this program will offer authentic learning experiences on local country with a local context, such as: visiting important indigenous sites; learning about kinship; connecting to country; dreaming stories; men’s and women’s business and other cultural activities.

The program represents a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in local aboriginal culture that few people in NSW will experience. It offers not only benefit to our students and community, but is a continuing source of employment for indigenous people in uncertain times.

The dates for this program are Tuesday 19 April to Monday 25 April inclusive, and the total cost $2,965.

To take advantage of this amazing opportunity, please contact Rachael Riley, rriley@redlands.nsw.edu.au for a booking form.

Winter School

Our Winter School Webinar was very well attended last week, and we have received a record number of applications. Mr Gray (Dean of Activities) and I have already begun to review applications made by students on iLearn and feel a great sense of excitement for this year’s cohort. The deadline for parents registering interest closes Friday 4 March and the student application deadline is Monday 7 March.

Yr 9 Leadership

Yr 9 continue to impress with their generosity, leadership skills and collaborative approach to working together. Recently they have been working alongside our Yr 12 Student Leadership Team in preparation for International Women’s Day. They have also been engaged in leading Tours through the Secondary School for Year 5 students and families interested in joining us in 2024. We thank the 48 students who generously volunteered their time for living the Redlands spirit of welcome. 

Uniform Shop

Appointments are now available for winter uniform fittings and can be made by clicking HERE. We recommend if your child needs to try on uniforms, you make an appointment to avoid having to wait in a queue. 

If you simply need to go up a size and know what you need, you may also order online at www.flexischools.com.au or come to the shop and purchase these items.

We are happy to help you with any questions regarding winter uniform requirements or sizing, so please call us on 9968 9850 or email uniformorders@redlands.nsw.edu.au.

Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811