Head of Preparatory School
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
As this is our final 2022 Prep Note Day, I would like to wish all our families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and fun summer holiday. This year has been filled with learning experiences that have engaged our students, activities that inspired creativity and collaboration and play that has been fun while connecting our students back with their peers.
It has been an absolute privilege as Head of Prep to observe and celebrate the social and emotional growth as well as the academic development of all our students this year. Every student who walks through our doors inspires and brings me joy each day.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the ever calm and fabulous Mrs Jen Mast for all her collaboration and hard work this year in her role as the PCG Coordinator. Jen has been instrumental in ensuring the messages between Prep and the class representatives are clear and concise. Thank you Jen. On the same note, can I also thank the Redlands House and Prep class representatives who volunteered their time this year to organise social catch ups, forward on messages and in some cases, put some myths to bed by gaining information from the school. Thank you.
As we begin 2023, we welcome Jenny Krallis (current Kindy White Co-Class Parent) to the PCG Coordinator role. Both Jens will be Co-Coordinators for a time until Jen Mast slowly moves out of the role. While classes won’t be determined until late January, Jenny and Jen would love to welcome everyone back to the Class Parent role next year. If you or someone you know is interested in helping, please drop them an email. The first PCG meeting of 2023 will be in Week 3.
Finally, can I please send out a huge thank you to every parent, carer and special friend of Redlands House and Prep for all your support this year. It was a year of returning to normal, a year of reconnecting friendships and a few new ways of reimagining some Prep experiences. Thank you for supporting myself and the staff as we navigated this year. I am a very proud Head of Prep at the end of 2022 as I reflect on the number one reason why we are all here and that is to walk alongside and guide our Redlands House and Prep children to become kind, independent and happy learners.
2023 Staffing News
Mrs Jennifer Jackson, one of our incredible Learning Plus teachers will be taking leave for the duration of 2023. After much thought, Jen has decided that next year she will be spending time with her family. I know you will join me in wishing Jen all the best as she takes this leave. We will miss her, but we look forward to her return in 2024.
We are currently in the process of finding her replacement.
Mrs Lynn Cooper will be taking long service leave for the duration of 2023 as she too would like to spend time with her family and enjoy some down time. Ms Cooper is a Prep school legend, and we will welcome her back with open arms in 2024. Ms Elizabeth Anderson-Gingold will be taking Ms Cooper’s long service leave position. Ellie currently works in Year 1 as the recipient of the Redlands Student Teaching Scholarship.
Ms Nicole Saxby will also be leaving us at the end of the year. We will miss her smile, her professionalism, and her collaborative spirit amongst the Prep staff. Nicole has worked quietly and calmly with One White this year and we can only hope that she returns to us after her travels. As we say goodbye to Nicole, we welcome Mr Nathan Stubbs who will be joining the Prep staff in 2023. Mr Stubbs currently works at St Ives North Public School and is looking forward to getting to know our students and staff.
Prep Games Day is here!!
A message from Ms Longworth
Prep Games Day (tomorrow) is a fun way to finish off the PE year. Skills learned throughout the year in PE lessons will be applied to game situations on Friday. Students will rotate around activities with their class groups, practising their hand-eye coordination, throwing, aim, accuracy, catching, running, agility, jumping, kicking, strength, power, and tactics.
It is also a great way to finish the year with class friends. We are confident of lots of laughing, fun and working together.
What to Wear
PE uniform
What to Bring
Hat, Water bottle, Recess and Lunch (canteen orders will still be available)
Schedule
8-8.20am – Students arrive at school. (Parents are welcome to sit on the bench seating at the top of the oval or return at 8.30am)
8.20-8.30am – Roll call in student classrooms
8.30-1pm – Events (All students will be active with their class throughout this timeslot. Students will be rotating every 15 minutes doing a variety of games).
1pm – Picnic lunch on the oval (Parents welcome, BYO picnic) Any students who don’t have a parent or carer will be encouraged and welcomed to sit with friends
1.50pm – Children may leave with their parents/carer (you must sign out with your child’s teacher before taking your child home)
– Children staying will enjoy some afternoon activities and be dismissed at regular times. OOSH will be on as normal.
Important Update information About Seesaw Student journals
A message from Mrs Anagnostu
If your child is currently in Year 2 or leaving the Preparatory School at the end of this year, you will no longer be able to access their Seesaw Journal in 2023. To download and save a copy of your child’s journal from Seesaw, click on the instructions link below. If your child is continuing in Prep in 2023 no action is required. Their journal will remain active in 2023.
Instructions on how to download your child’s Seesaw journal and save it to a personal computer
Lost Property
From Monday, the lost property table will be placed outside the Prep Reception door for parents to search for long lost pieces of clothing, drink bottles and lunchboxes. Can I please ask all families to once again, ensure everything that your child brings to school has their name on it.
2023 information
Kindergarten to Year 2 stationary pack information is now available on Pulse for those families who would like to get in early and order their packs.
2023 new student orientation and welcome letters are also available on Pulse.
Communication will be sent the week before school starts to outline 2023 classes, staffing and start to school information. If you need any information about uniforms, OOSH, school times or after school activities, I encourage you to take the time to navigate Pulse as you will find all the information that you will need.
A Christmas Message from the Chaplains
View a Christmas message from the Redlands Chaplains here.
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848