Head of Secondary School

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So Much to Celebrate

It is a testament to our dedicated and energetic community that after a long and disrupted term there are still so many exciting events and activities to celebrate. Over the past week we have experienced so many wonderful displays of student talent and commitment in the Secondary School.

Last week the outstanding performances of our students in the musical, Shrek, were enjoyed by so many. The performance of the students, including those who were on the stage as well as those who were beneath it, in the pit, and behind it, in hair and make-up and stage crew, was second to none. Many of you have commented that it felt like were watching a professional performance, not one produced by a school. And yet it was! Such talent, dedication and commitment. Thank you to all involved, including the parents who supported our young people through the enriching experience. It takes a village – and this was evident in the success of the 2022 musical.

This week, it was excellent to see our Yr 12 students lead the assembly on Tuesday. They provided a range of clearly articulated and well delivered updates for the Secondary School community. Their messages were well received and struck just the right note, at this time of the school year. I enjoyed seeing so many different faces involved it the assembly, and want to acknowledge the great work of the Student Leader Team this term. Supporting and guiding them in their endeavours is the Dean of Students, Ms Marita Jansons, who provides them with the space and direction they need to independently and confidently lead the student community.

Camp

Yr 8 students managed to enjoy a couple of days away this week at Camp, before being forced to return when weather conditions on the mid-north Coast deteriorated. Thankfully, Yr 8 did enjoy some hiking, bike riding and canoeing before having to come indoors for the night. As always it is our goal to do our best to provide opportunities for the student, despite the limitations posed by the pandemic, and now the extreme weather. The ongoing reality of living with COVID-19 means we persist with our plans, we adhere to the Public Health requirements and we adjust as and when is necessary. We consider the safety and wellbeing of our students and the surrounding communities. Given that the local area of Stuarts Point evacuated last night, we are glad we returned Yr 8 to Sydney when we did. Next week, Yr 12 go on their Camp, postponed from the start of this year. They are headed to the Blue Mountains for a few nights and will engage in some outdoor activities, study for their upcoming assessment block and have downtime, where they can hang out, enjoy each other’s company and rest.

Study Skills

On Tuesday evening, Yr 7 parents and students were invited to a Study Skills webinar presented by Dr Prue Salter from Enhanced Learning Services. There was a strong attendance for this session and it was wonderful to see so many students and parents interacting with Dr Salter’s engaging workshop via the chat function. If you were unable to attend the session, you can still access the slides via the Yr 7 Core Page under ‘Resources’ where you will also find the ‘Family Pack’ that Dr Salter used throughout the webinar.  A reminder that all Redlands families have access to the hundreds of resources Dr Salter has available on her website via the following details:

www.studyskillshandbook.com.au 
click on login:

Username: redlands

Password: 68results

Student Fundraising Efforts

The students’ efforts across a couple of different fundraising drives have been fruitful. House Captains Catina and Cristian were closely followed Emmi and Sam, in their fundraising endeavours. Next Tuesday is International Day, where will hope to raise more funds for the Ukraine UNICEF appeal. So far we have raised $9115 and increased our goal of $5,000 to $20,000. Yr 9 student, Alexander Smith, approached Emmi and Sam about his concerns for those in the Ukraine and has since composed the following letter, which I share with you now.

Dear Australians,

 I hope you are all well. As we all know, Australia is a fortunate country, shielded from much of the world’s horror. However, not every nation can claim the same, most particularly Ukraine. The unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine is becoming the fastest growing humanitarian crisis since the second World War. Approximately 6.48 million people are estimated to be displaced within the borders of Ukraine, and more than 3.3 million people have fled Ukraine, becoming refugees. 1,119 civilians have been killed and 1,790 wounded. 136 children have been killed so far in the war, and most likely many more wounded. 

These children, grandmothers, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters and friends could have easily been ours. It is easy for us, far away, to dismiss these people’s lives, and deaths, as numbers on a page. However, I believe to do so, would break the ideals we were brought up with, of what an Australian should be, kind, generous, and willing to care. We should not be bystanders of evils. I believe ignoring this issue, of which so many are suffering, would make me, and should make you, feel disgusted. As such, we must act, and the best way we can do this is through donation, so sincerely, please do so. Thank you to all those who have already helped, and are going to, God bless you, and the unfortunate in Ukraine. Slava Ukrani.

Kind regards,
Alexander Smith, on behalf of Redlands

Where to donate: Redlands UNICEF fundraiser

Gratitude for Redlands Staff

Today, I want to acknowledge and thank the entire Redlands Secondary School staff who have so diligently and generously worked in the service of students and families this term. Our staff have their own families, worries, ups and downs, and because they are educators or work in an educational setting, they also have the responsibility of looking after other families – your family. This is a privilege and one we value in our profession.

This term our teachers have worked tirelessly to support students learning from home, whilst undergoing isolation. They have collaboratively worked to ensure consistent access points for students via iLearn. Our Year Advisors and Assistant Year Advisors have navigated communication with parents and carers whilst simultaneously developing enriching opportunities for growth for the students in their cohorts. Our Subject Coordinators have shifted programs, scopes and sequences and assessment schedules to enable flexibility for students who are unwell with COVID-19 or faced with a period of isolation due to Household Contact status. Bespoke programs have been created to support students and families. Check-ins via Zooms, phone calls and back-to-school meetings take place to return students to school and to ensure consistency, support and reintegration. Our Tutors have been instrumental in ensuring that the daily experience of schooling for our students is smooth, engaging and often, personalised, to their specific needs and preferences. Our Sport Department, Cocurricular teams, Learning Plus teachers, Deans and Support Staff have also significantly contributed to running the School as normally as possible, and in a way that enables the students to have typical experiences, despite the pandemic and despite the impact of wet weather. At all times, their intention is kindness and care. As a school, we are recognising our staff next week in a morning tea, hosted by the Principal. Personally, I can’t thank the staff enough for their immense efforts and ongoing positivity this term, but I am hoping to try over a cup of tea and a muffin, before we conclude the term for Easter break.

Below are some photos of the Ukraine UNICEF Bake Sale and the House Dodgeball Competition.

COVID-19 Update

We received notification from AISNSW  this week that the isolation requirements have altered slightly for students who are household contacts, as highlighted below.

A household contact of a COVID positive person must isolate for 7 days. Following that time period, they are not obligated to self-isolate for the next 14 days, even if another household contact becomes COVID positive. This means a household contact does not need to self-isolate as a contact more than once in a 21-day period unless the person is diagnosed with COVID-19. In this case they will need to self-isolate again for 7 days as a confirmed case. 

If a household contact is notified of a new case within their household after 14 days since they completed their self-isolation, they will need to isolate again for 7 days unless they have previously tested positive, and it has been no more than 12 weeks since they ceased self-isolating as a positive case. 

2023 Term Dates

In order to assist families with their future planning, the 2023 Term Dates are listed here, on our website, Redlands Pulse and the Redlands App:

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