Head of Junior School
As we approach the final day of Term 1, it is important for me to acknowledge Redlands staff, students and families as we have again had to adjust and navigate new scenarios and challenges in the face of COVID. I also congratulate our many new students and staff on such a successful transition and start to their time at Redlands and many have already significantly contributed to our community.
It has been wonderful to feel an increasing sense of normalcy as the term has progressed with interschool sport and debating, concerts, choirs, camps, carnivals, excursions, incursions, parents back on campus, social events to name but a few of the highlights of a busy first term.
A hallmark of any good school is its busyness, and no one could ever say that Redlands does not meet this measure. Therefore, it is even more important for students and teachers to rest in the breaks, and I do encourage staff and families to step away from school and find things to do together that bring you happiness.
I wish everyone a restful break and safe travels, where taken, and we look forward to welcoming the students back on Wednesday 27 April.
Please note that students should be in winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3, which includes blazers every day, except on Wednesdays when we have Sport and on their class’ PE day.
Staffing News
Today we said farewell to our much-loved Numeracy Enrichment teacher, Mrs Catriona Ling, after 15 years of dedicated service. Mrs Ling has positively influenced the lives and minds of hundreds of Redlands students in her time, not to mention her strong sense of collegiality, good humour and friendship. Mrs Ling is heading overseas to spend time with family in the UK in the coming months and we look forward to her reconnecting with us later in the year when she returns.
Mrs Ling’s teaching will be taken on by Mrs Lisa Cocks, who has already spent time alongside Mrs Ling this term as part of the handover. An experienced classroom teacher with additional qualifications in gifted education and leadership, Lisa is currently a sessional tutor and tertiary supervisor in the Bachelor of Education program at Macquarie University, a role she has also fulfilled at both the Universities of Sydney and Notre Dame.
We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Ms Ciara Harding who will join us next term as a K-6 Mathematics specialist. Currently both a Year Coordinator and the Maths Coordinator at Newington College, Ciara will take our Maths support groups in the Junior School but also spend time working alongside class teachers and reviewing aspects of our mathematical teaching. Ciara is completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Education through the University of Sydney, where she has also been a Mathematics researcher amd has presented regularly at conferences.
Next term, Mrs Narelle Cheeseman will take some much-deserved long service leave and her Learning Support teaching will be taken by Mrs Melinda Griffin. Mrs Griffin has worked as a casual teacher for us, and she has previously worked as a learning support teacher at Scots College, a special education teacher in Queensland, and as a class teacher at Knox.
Finally, we also welcome Mr Soren Sharma to our Sports Administration team and Soren is well known to many students as families as he has been both a basketball and football coach.
Battle of the Bands
What a joy it was for me to enjoy our Junior School rock bands as they opened the show at Monday’s ‘Battle of the Bands’ which relived some great hits of the 90s! The coolly named Mustangs and Flaming Falcons showed great energy and enjoyment as they entertained the crowd, and it was easy to forget how young these budding rock stars are. Well done to the students involved: Andrew Budden, Leo Campbell, Ella Liira, Apollo Mangos Isaac McIntosh, Rafi Nicholas and Grayson Sloot.
International Day
On Tuesday, our Junior Campus was a sea of colour as the community celebrated our global-mindedness and diversity through our annual International Day event. It was particularly joyful to have a number of parents give up their time to share their cultural backgrounds and experiences which is always a highlight of the day and added significantly to the richness of the day.
Wildlife Photography Competition Winners
From over 60 entries, I am pleased to share the winners in the student-led wildlife photography competition
1st: ‘Water Droplets’ by Amelia Roy Yr 5
2nd: ‘Gumnuts’ by Grace Flynn Yr 4
3rd: ‘Waterfall’ by Rafi Nicholas Yr 5
Special mention also to Isabella Kuo and Sienna Benz for their submissions.
Yr 5 2022 Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competition
We are excited to offer the opportunity to our Yr 5 students to participate in the 2022 Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competition. This will be held on Thursday 5 May at Redlands. The CAT competition is a one-hour problem solving competition designed to encourage student curiosity and promote multiple modes of thinking as well as solving real-world problems.
Interested students are welcome to enter this competition and previous computer programming experience is not needed. The competition will help to identify students’ computer programming potential and is suitable for students who are interested in coding, robotics, digital creation or design and may be used as preparation for robotics competitions. Students who perform strongly in the CAT will have the further option to participate in the Oxford University Computing Challenge held later this year.
The cost of the competition is $7.50 which will be added to a subsequent Term Fee Statement. To register your child for this optional opportunity, please click this link.
Please note that registrations close at 5pm on the first day of Term 2, Wednesday 27 April.
Winter Uniform from start of Term 2
Term Dates 2022 and 2023
Please be reminded that the start of Term 2 is Wednesday 27 April and for your reference and planning of future holidays, please find the term dates for the rest of 2022 and 2023 here.
Young Investigators Science Club
Young Investigators is an extracurricular hands-on Science Club run by Eye Heart Science. Developed by Scientists to give students in K-6, opportunities to work scientifically while promoting collaboration and problem-solving skills.
Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Hours
The Uniform Shop will be open on Monday 11 April and Tuesday 26 April during the upcoming school holidays from 8am – 4pm. Appointments can be made by clicking HERE.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022