Secondary School

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As we fast approach the end of term, we cherish the opportunities to gather as a community and the respite that the end of an academic year brings with it. On Tuesday, our final student-led assembly for the year took place in the Lang Gym for students in Yrs 10 and 12. As well as sharing their slogan for 2023 Fall Forward, we heard from staff and students on the topic of mental health. Open discussion is essential for us to develop efforts to improve mental health. Simone, our Service Captain, discussed Movember and raising awareness of men’s mental health (donations to the Redlands drive can be made here); our counsellor, Alessandro Digiacomo, shared tips and hints on how students can boost their mental wellbeing during the holiday period and where to seek help if needed. Our Counsellors have also created a parent holiday guide which provides advice on how you can support your child’s mental health and wellbeing throughout the holiday period.

HSC and IB Student-Led Conferences on Wednesday Night

Wednesday evening’s Yr 11 HSC and IB Student-Led Conferences presented an excellent opportunity for students, parents and teachers to discuss the academic progress made over recent weeks, and to reflect on the year as a whole. The evening also provided time to look forward to, and plan for 2023 and the students’ final year of Secondary School in terms of key learning objectives, assessments and personal goals and aspirations. If there is any feedback you would like to share regarding this event, please contact the relevant Deans; Lucy Benjamin (HSC) and Darren Taylor (IB).

Please Keep Giving!

Over the past week, the Christmas tree inside the Student Services Centre has slowly been surrounded by the generous gifts donated by the Redlands community. These gifts are going direct to the people of Lismore, who lost homes and businesses in the recent flooding and are in the early stages of a costly disaster recovery, and for whom this holiday season will be one of hardship.

In order to support the residents of Lismore, we are asking each student to donate a small Christmas gift to the Northern Rivers Children’s Services, who will use these gifts to bring joy to a number of families in the Lismore area this Christmas season.

Monday 28 November is the final day to bring in donations. Gifts for children of all ages are welcome – there is no need to wrap the present as this helps the Northern Rivers Children’s Service to identify appropriate gift recipients.

Yr 8 STEAM Challenge

Guest Speaker from the CSIRO, Ms Andrea Sosa Pintos, a chemical engineer, and Senior Program Manager – Indo-Pacific Plastics Innovation Network, commenced proceedings for the Yr 8 STEAM Challenge Days this week. Yr 8’s brief was to investigate and present a solution to help conserve and use our oceans in a sustainable way. During her initial presentation, Yr 8 student, Jerry Sun courageously engaged with Andrea on a number of issues and reflected the genuine interest of his cohort into the challenges humans face in terms of the oceans, such as how to end plastic waste. Some details below:

• There are 400 million tonnes of plastic waste produced every year
• Oceans will carry more plastic than fish (by weight) by 2050
• Humans consume a credit card size amount of plastic each week

The winning team was Roseby White – Annabel, Mia, Hayden and Milo (Regrow Coral). They presented a solution to improve the ocean’s diversity and health by repopulating coral species through active reef restoration like coral nurseries and artificial reefs.

Mr Webber offered some insightful feedback to Yr 8 and the four finalists before offering his congratulations to the winning team, Roseby White.

Sophie Yu through to NSW State Championships Semi of the UN Voice Comp!

A huge congratulations are extended to Yr 9 student Sophie Yu who progressed to the NSW semi-final of the UN Voice competition. Her performance was outstanding, especially considering she only had a few days to prepare for it after the Yr 9 camp!

This is the first year Redlands students have engaged in this external public speaking competition and Sophie’s performance was awesome. Ms Kang feels especially proud of the Redlands team effort this year and was so impressed by the students’ progress, their commitment to the oratory journey and their achievements over such a short timeframe. A wonderful cocurricular opportunity for all.

Yr 7 – Unconditional Love

This term in Christian Studies Yr 7 students have been exploring Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbour and his example of Agape or unconditional love.  Students have investigated significant global issues, including poverty, to encourage and challenge them to reflect on how they support and understand those in need.

The ‘Love Your Neighbour’ incursion held last week was a simulation event designed by TEAR Australia to give students a practical experience of some of the daily challenges faced by a billion people on our planet affected by poverty. During the incursion, students built their own slum houses and participated in a series of challenges that simulated different aspects of poverty. The students who raised the most rupees were able to donate a goat, fresh water, and chicken to a family in poverty, through Tearfund Australia.

Below is Yr 7 student Sophia Preece’s reflection:

“I found the incursion enjoyable, interesting and eye-opening. The incursion consisted of a series of challenges which were fun, frustrating  and pushed my thinking. However the challenges also made me realise more about those living in poverty.

The challenge opened my eyes to what inequality actually felt like rather than just to know the meaning and it allowed me to experience what it’s like to have to rely on the people around me and work together for survival.”

COVID-19 Update and Rapid Antigen Tests

With the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the wider community, we are closely monitoring COVID-19 positive cases here at Redlands. Pleasingly, as of yet, we have not seen a significant increase in cases in students or staff; however, we will continue to monitor and communicate any updates as necessary.

To help protect our community, we will be offering Rapid Antigen Tests to any families who would like to pick up additional tests. Parents or students can collect up to 2 boxes of Rapid Antigen Tests from their Section’s Reception. Rapid Antigen Tests will be available for collection from Friday morning and through all of next week. 

Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811