Head of Preparatory School
Happy Birthday Redlands
138 years old is quite an extraordinary birthday to be celebrating and we have certainly celebrated all week in Prep. Our students have been fascinated with the old picture display in Prep reception, these provided us all with conversation springboards when comparing old buildings to new ones and how life would have been very different all those years ago.
On Tuesday, our Kindergarten friends enjoyed listening to the Redlands archivist, Marguerite Gillezeau describe what life as a Redlands student was like all those years. They also dressed up in old uniforms, lots of giggles and fun.
On Thursday morning our Yrs 1 and 2 students walked over to the Senior Campus for a guided tour around key historical sites. Our students were so amazed at how much had changed but also how lucky they are to be part of such a school with such rich history to share.
Our Yr 2 leaders also made sure our student led Assembly was all about birthdays too. Mr Price helped us dance the ‘birthday flab’ dance while Mr Corcoran spoke to everyone about how important this week is to us all.
On behalf of all the staff and students in Prep, we want to thank Ms Gillezeau for spending time with us this week and for helping our learners to make connections to the past through stories and pictures.
Yr 2 Powerhouse Excursion
It has been a long time since our students were able to go outside of school grounds to explore their surroundings so hopping onto a bus and travelling to an excursion was a highlight for our Yr 2 students this week. They are currently exploring, investigating and comparing technologies of the past and present. No better place to see so many examples of this than the Powerhouse. Rich conversations drove the inquiry excursion as did the reoccurring ‘wow’ that we kept on hearing as they discovered different things around each corner. They couldn’t quite believe that phones were once plugged into walls or that the first computers were so big! Again, another way to connect the children’s learning to the past through visuals and stories.
Kindergarten Hydroponics
Last Friday, there was a buzz of excitement coming from the Kindergarten classrooms. There were squeals of excitement as our sleeves got rolled up and we were able to begin investigating hydroponics. This term, Kindergarten have been inquiring into the characteristics, needs and uses of animals and plants. The children were amazed to find that plants could grow without soil. Each child was able to pick their own plant, having a choice between lettuce, parsley, spring onions and flowers. Kindergarten gently cleaned the soil off their plants and planted them in small containers that they had filled with clay beads and coconut husks. These containers were placed in a tub of water. Following the planting, Kindergarten reflected on their learning. It was wonderful to hear the thoughtful developments in their own understanding.
“I learnt that plants could grow in water but that you need to feed the water.” Peter Ward
“I discovered that plants could grow without soil.” Chloe Fung
“I thought that plants need soil but then I looked at my plant and learnt that they can grow without it.” Anniela Liu
Term 3 After School Sports Registration Opens Thursday 16 June
What are we grateful for…?
Discussions this week centred mainly around looking at the past and comparing it to the future. Through pictures and stories, our students discovered that life’s simple tasks took a little longer in the past to undertake. At the centre of these comparisons, we need to be teaching and role modelling gratitude. Gratitude toward people who have gone before us for inventing things, changing things for the better and for preserving this history to share with generations to come.
Gratitude is at times a hard thing to teach young children as it can be talked and read about but until it is experienced first-hand, some just don’t quite understand it. Our Junior Campus Chaplain, Ms McKenzie and the fabulous Julia Michaels have been talking with students this week about being grateful for things in their lives and for the love of God. Watch this beautiful video that they put together that expresses what they are grateful for this week.
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848