From the Principal
We are conscious that a number of our families and staff have been significantly impacted by the flooding events this week. The RPFA always look to provide support in these situations and please do not hesitate to let the School know if you are aware of members of our community in need or personally need assistance at any time. The strength of our community is evident in these situations.
My heartfelt thanks go to all students who collaborated on producing such an inspiring International Women’s Day (IWD) assembly this week. Our School Captains, Sophia Maxwell and Jack Murray, led the way with intelligent, thought-provoking speeches, followed by a video which captured student and staff voice regarding what IWD meant to them. The assembly video also highlighted a student led art project that illuminated shared responsibility and statements of strength and conviction. Our guest speaker Captain Scully-O’Shea shared powerful messages and insights from her career and family life, including her goal to create the conditions in the Navy where every person can thrive and the importance of ‘cognitive diversity’ on teams when making key decisions. What particularly struck me was how naturally our male and female students perceptively articulated the importance of IWD and this year’s theme of ‘Break the Bias’. Yet another example in which our coeducational environment provides breadth of opinion and ‘cognitive diversity’.
Yr 2 students and the Yr 6 Technology Leaders played an integral role in a presentation to Preparatory School parents this week, focused on how ICT is utilised in the Prep curriculum. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to present and a pleasure to have parents on campus for such a workshop.
I enjoyed the opportunity last weekend to attend the ACT Head of the Lake Rowing Regatta, not only due to the improved weather! It was fantastic to see such a large Redlands contingent of supporters and our crews performed with distinction. In an exceptional result Redlands was awarded the Trophy for Best Overall Girls’ results at the regatta and our Year 8 Boys and Girls 1st crews won the Year 8 Schoolboy Coxed Quad and Year 8 Schoolgirl Coxed Quad A Finals respectively. The following day at the ACT Rowing Championships, our Year 8 Boys and Girls 1st crews also won the Under 15 Quad division and our Year 9 1st Boys won the Under 16 Quad division. Over the two days, there were many other podium finishes and I congratulate all crews and their coaches on their stellar achievements.
On Monday this week, 28 Junior School students represented the School at the HICES Swimming Carnival, with our Redlands team placing 3rd overall. I congratulate all students and make special mention of the 12 students who qualified for the HICES team to compete at the CIS Carnival.
Congratulations also to the Secondary School students who represented the School with pride in the ISA Swimming competition on Wednesday. With our internal carnival cancelled earlier in the term due to COVID and the Year 7 students on camp this week, our preparation wasn’t ideal; however, the team performed at a high level, with a number of 1st place results in Division 1 of the competition. We are still awaiting the final results however I make special mention of Captain of Swimming Erik Scott (Yr 12), Loch Wilding (Yr 11) and Xander Halfen (Yr 10) on their collective 4 x 1st, 2 x 2nd and 2 x 3rd places.
Further details of the Rowing and Swimming achievements can be found in the Sports sections of Note Day.
I am very much looking forward to attending the Redlands production of Shrek The Musical at the end of this month, the School’s first live musical since 2019. Tickets are now on sale HERE for the following three performances:
- Thursday 24 March, 6:30pm
- Friday 25 March, 6:30pm
- Saturday 26 March 2:00pm
Mr Stephen Webber
Cover Photo Caption: Our Yr 7 students enjoying their camp this week at our High Country Campus in Jindabyne.