Head of Secondary School
This week our newly inducted Yr 12 Student Leaders led a Yr 7 and 8 assembly in the gym. Marli Prado led the Acknowledgement of Country, Sarah Kumpulainen shared a powerful and thoughtful prayer, and the Captains introduced themselves via an explosive video you can watch here, which was produced by Yr 12 students Oliver Noakes and Alex Tully. They then took Yr 7 and 8 through a fun quiz designed to enable students in the younger years to be better know their new leaders. Following on from this our SRC representatives from Years 7-10 shared their journey this year via another fun video which you can watch here.
IB FInal Examinations
The IB Final Examinations finally began for our Graduating Class of 2023 earlier this week, and it was great to feel the buzz of excitement around the students as they arrived for their first examinations in what is a very busy schedule over the next two weeks. From conversations with students, it appears most examinations have been well received so far and on behalf of all staff we would like to wish students every possible success in what will be their very last days at Redlands before they receive their final results in early January and transition to alumni.
Yr 7 and 10 Exams Update
Yrs 7 and 10 have conducted themselves well throughout their Examination Week. It has been wonderful to see students approaching their exams with such positivity and maturity. Students have generally had some periods of revision throughout the week which they have used wisely, putting to good use the study skills and strategies that they have learnt in the lead up to this period. Next week, as Yrs 7 and 10 engage in feedback and reflection, Yr 8 will commence their exams. We wish Yr 8 all the very best as we know how hard they have been preparing this week.
Talking About Teachers
There has been much written in the media recently about teacher shortages, although thankfully at Redlands, the impact has been minimal thus far. We are pleased to be able to continue to recruit high quality teachers for 2023, some of whom have commenced their employment with us this term, as part of our commitment to an effective handover process with outgoing staff and in the pursuit of relationship development with students. I look forward to introducing these new staff members to you early on in 2023.
Sometimes teachers are absent from school for a day or a longer period. Long Service Leave, extended leave or personal leave is available to teachers. Like all people, teachers get sick, have to stay home to look after an unwell child, or take an elderly parent to an appointment. Teachers do their best to be at school but time away is inevitable and expected – this is why teachers have leave available to them, which we encourage them to utilise, if necessary or beneficial. When our teachers are away, a substitute teacher (sometimes also called a cover teacher) steps in. Substitute teachers may also be utilised when permanent staff members are away at Camp or accessing a professional development opportunity.
At Redlands we are lucky to have a collective of dependable, high quality substitute teachers. They are valued by staff and students and are appreciated for their efforts. Through their interactions, they come to know, respect and care for our students. They also do their best to engage with the learning activities set by the class teacher who is absent. Mr Barry, our Dean of Academic Administration, leads the substitute teachers, and he works hard to allocate substitute teachers to subjects where they hold expertise and skill. When the class teacher is away, learning activities are set and available to students on iLearn. All students know this, so don’t believe them if they come home and tell you that ‘there was nothing to learn’ or ‘we did nothing because we had a sub’. Your teenager might benefit from being challenged on this perspective! It is true that when a lesson is led by a substitute teacher there might be less explicit instruction and the student may be required to learn more independently – we are confident that while this might not be the student’s preference, they are capable of managing this experience. When they turn up to work for a substitute day of teaching, our casually employed staff work alongside our permanent staff, interact with teachers in the subject area that they are leading that day, take recess and lunch duties and engage with our students inside and outside of the classroom. They are a wonderful, energetic and agile group of people and we deeply value their contributions.
Is your teenager thinking of studying at an American university?
Redlands offers SAT examinations on campus for students applying to study in the US. As most US Universities are currently test-optional for admissions up to 2024, and some beyond this date, we actually recommend to most students that there is no need to sit the SAT exams.
For those who do wish to sit the SAT exam, Redlands will be offering one examination date in 2023 on 6 May. Registrations open today so we recommend that you register as soon as possible to secure a place. Register via the College Board
Please note that from 2023, the SAT exams will be digital. The College Board offers information sessions for students who wish to learn more about the digital SAT.
Other test dates are being run at various test centres if the May 6 does not suit you – please find more information here.
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811