Head of Preparatory School

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Helping Those in Need in Lismore

The Light for Lismore Service Project planning has continued and we are excited to begin to roll out this special initiative for the 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.

From 9 May to 27 May, we will be collecting the following donations (new or used in excellent condition) of the following materials at Carline as well as Reception. Please note that any of these items can be brought in on any idea, this is scheduled to provide a rough guide for families.

In the coming week, boxes will be delivered to each classroom and each student will be decorating a box to be filled with supplies and brought up to the NRCS.  Each classroom will be inviting parents in to help make these boxes, so please watch for information for your child’s class from your Class Parent.

Class Parents will then be helping coordinate distribution of the donated materials into the student-made boxes for Lismore.

Additionally, Ms Fiona McKenzie will be guiding the children in a letter-writing and picture – drawing campaign to send messages of hope and support to their peers in Lismore.  These letters and drawings will be included with the decorated boxes of supplies.

This project will provide our children with a hands-on experience to make each box with love and care and remind our neighbours in Lismore, they are cared for and not forgotten. We encourage families to embrace this opportunity to teach our children about the misfortunes of others and how to act with purpose in the community by shining your light on those in need.

Prep School Sustainability Update

Sustainability is one of three NSW Syllabus cross curricular outcomes that need to be included in our programs, and under the guidance of Ms Kim Chipper and the Redlands Sustainability Working Group, we are heading in the right direction to achieve these goals.

Waste Free Wednesday

From this term onwards, we will be encouraging students to bring a rubbish free lunchbox to school every Wednesday. Our Year 6 Environment Captains and Year 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 Year 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. 

Mother’s Day

We are excited to welcome our RH and Prep mothers on campus next Monday at 7.45pm.

As there is a slight chance of rain forecast for Monday, can I please encourage you to bring a brolly just in case!

Mother’s Day Classic 

On Sunday 8 May, Redlands will 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 25th 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!

Register or donate to Team Redlands here.

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.

Book Covering Update

Our new books are now being used in our classrooms and again a big thank you to everyone who helped with book covering.

As packs were distributed, we have discovered quite a few books missing. Can I please ask anyone who may have taken books home to cover and not returned them yet to please bring them back in to reception.

Updating Medical Details

A message from the Junior Campus nurse, Mrs Gillian Henery

The start of term is the perfect time to update Medical details in Engage through Pulse.

 Families are encouraged to go to the student details screen and review the details by selecting “view details” under your child’s name and checking the relevant sections. You can then let the Pulse Team know of any changes by selecting “My Details” from the blue ribbon and then submitting a Change of Information Request with the child’s name and updated information.

Please see the following link.

Distribution of Rapid Antigen Tests

Next week, each student in K-2 will be sent home with an additional supply of five Rapid Antigen Tests 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.

Welcome Aussie Gems to Prep After School Sport

Our new gymnastics provider ‘Aussie Gems’ started their Prep after school sport program this week and what a positive way to begin our relationship with them. I was able to watch the Monday afternoon sessions and I was very impressed with the engaging and professional coaches. Our new equipment ensured all students were able to have fun and enjoy every rotation. Here are some fun photos from the Monday session.

Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848