Head of Junior School

Parent Volunteer Appreciation

Last Thursday, I joined a number of Senior Executive staff, Board Directors and Junior School teachers at our annual School Thank You to our many parent volunteers, whose positive contributions make such an important difference to our school community.

The voluntary roles that so many parents offer, particularly as Junior School Class Parent representatives, plays a significant role in fostering and strengthening the palpable sense of school community that embodies Redlands. As well as our class parents, I also thank the many parents who were involved in this year’s wonderful Spring Fair or who have also volunteered time and contributed expertise in helping to provide support for students’ learning in both curriculum and extra curricular opportunities over the course of the year.

My sincere appreciation is extended to all of these parents and our Redlands Parents and Friends Association for both their dedication and service to our community; it really does make such a difference.

Maths Olympiad 2018

This year 84 students from Yrs 5 and 6 competed in the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads competition, working with Ms Rugg and Mrs Ling to complete five papers over five months. The papers are unique in that they focus on the students’ ability to solve mathematical problems in a creative manner; as opposed to simply reaching a solution using a prescribed method.

We are delighted to say that the team consisting of the Numeracy Enrichment Yr 5 and 6 students scored highly enough to qualify for Outstanding Achievement award that is based on the scores of the top scorers in each team. Congratulations to Mischa Barac in Yr 6 who was the top overall scorer and alongside Chloe Bailey (Yr 5), Arya Gapaillard (Yr 6) and Hugo Ward (Yr 5), they all finished in the top 2% of participants. Daisy Thomas, Harry Fenton, Rafferty Heard, Conor Petersen, Mitchell Travers-Wolf (all Yr 6) and Krishna Gupta, Piper Bradley and Tabitha Galvin (all Yr 5), achieved highly commendable scores that contributed to the team’s overall ranking and that placed them in the top 10% of participants.

A pleasing number of other students in both Yrs 5 and 6 achieved results in the top 50% of participants. What was most impressive though, was the levels of enthusiasm and energy that all the students brought to the papers. Mrs Ling and Ms Rugg commented that that there is an almost palpable atmosphere of concentration and effort in the room whilst students tackle what are often very challenging questions. Well done to all the students who took part and certificates and badges will be presented to all participants over the next week.

Yr 5 Bathurst Excursion

Yr 5 wasted no time heading out last Tuesday in search of gold as part of their Units of Inquiry topic. The Bathurst Goldfields was the destination for their overnight visit and this opportunity to experience the goldfields will serve as an important part of their study of this era in Australian history. My thanks are extended to Mrs Benneyworth for her organisation of the trip and to the team of Yr 5 teachers and Mrs Parton for accompanying them on this valuable experiential learning opportunity to kickstart the term.

Yr 6 Fair and Rock in the Quad

Next Tuesday lunchtime, Yr 6 students will be hosting their annual fair to raise towards leaving a legacy gift for the Junior School on behalf of their cohort. In recent years, this has been a water refilling station and outdoor furniture for students and each class will run an activity stand and a food stall, including sponge throwing, tug of war, an obstacle course, ball shoot out and temporary tattoos. The food stands will include popcorn, lolly bags, cupcakes, icy poles and fruit treats. All activities will cost between 50c and $2 and Junior School students would like to be involved, they are encouraged to bring coins on the day. Please note that this will not be an event for Prep students.

At the same time, we will again host Rock in the Quad, where our Junior School student rock bands will rock out a few tunes for the students to enjoy as part of the lunchtime events.

Lost Property

After a considerable repatriation and clear out process at the end of last term, we already have a few unnamed items of lost property clothing in Reception, which we would love to return to their owners, knowing that these items are not cheap. If these items could belong to your child, please direct them to Reception for collection.

Redlands fleece – sizes 10K and 14K
Hockey hoodie – size 10K
Boy’s Blazer – size 10
Girl’s Blazer – size 30 approx. with Dance badges
Razor scooter
Ray Ban reading glasses – pale blue frames

School Bus Pass Applications 2019

We have been advised that School student applications for 2019 have now opened from Monday 15 October.

Students progressing to Yr 3 and Yr 7 do not need to re-apply if they:

are continuing at the same school
are residing at the same address
have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.

Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2018 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2018, the system will automatically cancel a card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out during December 2018 and January 2019.

For further information visit https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts

Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022