Head of Preparatory School
As we wind down another great term in Prep, I wish everyone a lovely holiday break. I have been talking to many of our parents and students about plans made for the next few weeks, and it has been great to hear so many of you taking some time out to relax, catch up with family around the world and at home, attend the fabulous Vacation Care activities or to just enjoy a change of routine at home.
I encourage everyone to find a snippet of time to talk to your child and to reflect on this term. This term has been a unique one as we were able to return to a normal routine, have parents back on campus and resume and begin new teaching and learning experiences.
We were able to hold parent workshops, open classrooms, Mother’s Day activities and best of all, remove our masks if we felt comfortable to and see each other’s faces again – a connection that we had missed.
I am incredibly proud of the way our Prep students have re-engaged with face to face schooling this term. Their enthusiasm and resilience were admirable, so was their ability to reform and build connections and friendships again after being via zoom for so long.
Having our parents back on campus has made Prep complete. How wonderful it is to have families, grandparents and friends walk through the reception, say hello to staff and then to be able to sit together in the afternoons and catch up.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank Jen Mast and the PCG group who have met fortnightly with myself and other staff members to discuss upcoming events and share ideas for out of school get togethers. This network is vitally important in keeping our prep community strong and supportive.
As we look towards next term, please take note of some key events that are in the planning stages for next term.
Week 2 Maths Week
Week 5 STEAM Week
Week 6 Book Week
Grandparents Day and Book parade
Week 8 Father’s Day Coffee Morning
Week 9 Prep Day Camp Week
Week 10 Prep Games Day – parent picnic and lunchtime finish
What a Thursday!
Today we enjoyed a range of activities that celebrated our love of music, our K-6 peer buddy system and upcoming NAIDOC Week.
The K-6 Choral Celebration was a beautiful way to celebrate all things singing across the Junior Campus. TG to Year 6 students also gathered at lunchtime to share a special Torres Strait Island song that they have been learning and sang it together as a whole Junior Campus in celebration of NAIDOC week. It truly was a heart-warming sight and sound experience for us all.
That wasn’t the end of the day, after singing, our K-6 buddy classes shared lunch together and enjoyed each other’s company. Again, a wonderful return to peer support throughout the School and sharing the love of being at school.
A wonderful day and a big thank you to Mrs Clinton and Ms Moses for pulling the day together.
Buddy Picnic Event
Prep Tennis Stars
On Saturday night, Nala Beulen, Kathleen Chan, Zandre Coussy, Anna Krapovnitskaya, Josh Ward and Grace Williams took part in the Northern Suburbs Tennis Association (NSTA) Primary Schools Challenge representing Redlands.
The children played doubles in the NSTA’s inaugural red ball competition and played 4 round Robin matches. Congratulations to the doubles teams: Josh and Zandre, Kathleen and Nala, and Grace and Anna. Well done to all the players and a big shout out to Josh, Zandre, Kathleen and Nala who came second in their divisions and Anna and Grace won their division.
Aussie Gems Open Afternoon
Thanks to Aussie Gems for opening the doors and sharing their Monday afternoon gymnastics session with parents on Monday. Our partnership with Aussie Gems is strong and the students loved showing their families what they can do and why they love gymnastics just so much.
Term 3/4 Departure Notice
As we are approaching the mid-point of the year, this is a reminder that those families who are planning on leaving the School during or at the end of Terms 3 or 4 are required to give notice to the Principal via an email to registrar@redlands.nsw.edu.au by the following dates:
Term 3 Departure: Friday 24 June 2022 (tomorrow)
Term 4 Departure: Friday 22 July 2022
As per the 2022 Schedule of Fees emailed to all families in December last year, there will be fees in lieu payable for any notices of departure received after these dates.
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848