Head of Junior School

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Reporting Live from Canberra!

I am currently enjoying a wonderful couple of days with Year 6 on camp in Canberra and as I write this, both the sun and our intrepid campers are rising as we look forward to another day of action-packed activities. It has been a wonderful trip again and I have enjoyed the many opportunities to sit and enjoy a conversation over a meal or on an activity with students, which are always a highlight for me on each Junior School camp. Through a combination of both COVID and last year’s floods, this Year Group have not been on a camp since Yr 3 and of course, some of the group have not been on a camp before. So, it is a credit to them that they have been such a cohesive and supportive group and embraced and faced each challenge and activity presented to them.

The students have been actively engaged in rich learning experiences in both civics and outdoor education such as the high-ropes course, camping, canoeing, hiking and mountain biking, interspersed with curriculum-related learning experiences at CSIRO, the Australian War Memorial, Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy and the National Gallery of Australia, where my day started yesterday with three of the groups. They have also enjoyed evening activities at the Observatory, the Botanical Gardens and this evening, the group have a private session at Questacon, the interactive National Science and Technology Centre, which is always a student highlight.

One of the things that has made me particularly proud has been observing how the students have been looking after one another and I have seen and received consistent feedback from various sources about how polite, engaged and respectful the group have been.

To assist in meeting the cost of part of our week in the nation’s capital, the Australian Government generously contributes funding of $20 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs, which is duly acknowledged and paid directly to the School upon completion of the excursion. This has supported the opportunity for our students to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.

We have posted a number of pictures of the trip so far on the Year 6 page on Redlands Pulse for you to enjoy and get a feel of the trip so far and I look forward to joining families welcome the group back at approximately 4pm on Friday afternoon. I know you will also join me in thanking the amazing team of teachers here caring for the group. It is a huge responsibility, but the meticulous planning of Mrs Robinson, Mr Watkins and the team has helped with the smooth organisation of the week yet again.

Yr 4 Camp (11-13 May)

We are looking forward to Yr 4 being our next camp group out next week. Yr 4 families should have received a detailed letter on Tuesday outlining our planning and updated Covid protocols and I look forward to joining the group for two days during their time away.

All information can also be found on the Year 4 page of Redlands Pulse and via this link to the OEG and Redlands website (Password: Shine).

Junior Piano Competition

Last Friday afternoon, I was delighted to be part of the audience at this year’s annual Junior Piano Competition, an annual highlight in my calendar. The quality of performance from every child was exceptional and our guest judge, acclaimed French pianist, Jeremy Eskenazi, also noted the high overall level of performance.

It truly was a memorable afternoon in the Edwards Auditorium within the Music Centre on the Senior Campus and I extend my congratulations to all of the students involved and the overall winner, Ina Guan.

Mother’s Day Celebration – Monday 9 May

We are looking forward to hosting our Mother’s Day Celebration on Monday 9 May.

RSVP: For catering purposes and to give us a sense of numbers in attendance, please could attendees all RSVP here ASAP.

Event Details

Location:                      Piazza, Junior Campus 

Time:                              7.45am-8.45am (but the cart will remain open until 9ish)

Other info:                    Freshly brewed barista coffees will be served from the coffee carts with tea and hot chocolates for students served from the Junior Canteen. Breakfast cookies will also be available.

Wet Weather:             In the event of rain on Monday morning, please bring an umbrella and a mask as the event will move undercover in the Piazza.

Parents and Carers Information Evening

Respectful Relationships: Dr Tessa Opie
Monday 23 May, 7.00-8.30pm
Redlands Hall

All parents and carers are invited to this presentation on Respectful Relationships Education: At School and in the Home. Last year Dr Opie’s workshop was well received by Redlands parents and carers, and we envision this year’s information evening will be just as informative and valuable. As seating numbers are limited, booking is essential so please ensure that you book via this link by Friday 20 May to avoid disappointment. This presentation will target parents and carers of students in Years 6 through 12; however, all Redlands parents and carers are welcome.

NAPLAN – Years 3 and 5

Next week sees students across Australia in Yrs 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit the National Assessment Program for Literacy and Numeracy, or NAPLAN, as it is more commonly known. Our starting point in Yrs 3 and 5 is always to ensure that the students do not feel any undue pressure, that they are appropriately prepared for the format of the tests, and that they are provided the conditions to do their very best which is all that we can ever ask of them. This is also the first time that the assessments will be done online, which has been factored into our preparation.

My thanks are extended to Ms Wilson and Mrs Smith for their considerable work behind the scenes to ensure that everything is organised and to Class and Learning Plus teachers for looking after the academic and pastoral needs of their students, both before and during these tests.

Distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests

Next week, each student will be sent home with an additional supply of 10 Rapid Antigen Tests (two boxes of 5 RATs) which should be used for discretionary purposes. Specifically, students should return a daily negative Rapid Antigen Test before coming to school if they have been deemed a household/close contact. In addition, if a student is showing COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home and take a Rapid Antigen Test.

Lismore School Appeal

As part of a whole School initiative, our Junior School students and families will be encouraged to support a service project that will support The Northern River Children’s Services (NCRS), a not for profit organisation that is responsible for providing day care to over 2000 children in flood-impacted areas. This organisation is supported by the Commonwealth Department of Education and parent fees. 

To help those in need, our students will have an opportunity to create boxes filled with donated school and art supplies to replenish materials lost during the floods. Students will also make cards for families that are going through the heartbreaking process of rebuilding their lives. We know that this project will provide the students with a sense of both empathy and purpose as we remind our NSW neighbours in Lismore, that they are cared for and not forgotten. We encourage families to support this opportunity in the coming weeks as we strive to make a difference to this community.

Junior Campus Term 2 Sustainability Update

Waste Free Wednesday

From this term onwards, we will be encouraging students to bring a rubbish free lunchbox to school every Wednesday. Our Yr 6 Environment Captains and Yr 2 Sustainability Leaders will be thinking up some fun incentives to encourage students to take part of this initiative, alongside giving students ideas on how to pack a rubbish free lunchbox. 

Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme

Students will soon be able to recycle any cans or bottles through the Return and Earn container deposit scheme. New bins will be placed throughout the school for collection and students leaders in the Prep and Junior School will decide what the funds will go towards.

Worm Towers and Crunch and Sip Worm Farm

This term, worm towers will be installed throughout the school gardens, which will allow students to feed the worms their fruit and vegetable scraps. Additionally, our Prep students will be collecting all Crunch and Sip scraps, which will be sent to a separate worm farm. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Yr 2 Sustainability Leaders to see the food cycle in action and interactively explore sustainability. 

Cutlery Library

The Junior Campus Canteen cutlery library is now up and running. The removal of our bamboo cutlery will reduce the waste Redlands creates and lower our carbon footprint. A big thank you to all students and families who donated spoons or forks to our cutlery library.

Trial Hip Hop Classes for Junior School Students

Following feedback from families and as a new option, our Redlands Dance Academy is delighted to provide a free trial Hip Hop Dance class at 3.30pm on Monday 16 May with a view to starting classes from 30 May. There is no need to register; just turn up ready to dance in comfortable clothing!

Junior Debating

Congratulations to our Primary B Representative Debating team who have qualified for the Octofinals in the ISDA Debating competition. Kate Andrews, Charlie Benfield, Ivy Flatman, Ollie Hosker, Apollo Mangos, Alexia Tsacalos will compete against Abbotsleigh on 13 May and we wish them all the best.

Mother’s Day Classic

This Sunday 8 May, Redlands will again be participating at the Mother’s Day Classic to honour and support the 1 in 7 women diagnosed with breast cancer. This year is an extra special year for the Mother’s Day Classic community as we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of getting active for breast cancer research.

So tell your friends, recruit your siblings, enlist your family and join us for a special day out and if you are coming along, please do register for Team Redlands here.

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School 
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022