Year 7

All’s Fair at Redlands

Well, here we are at the end of Week 8 of Term 1 with only two weeks left until the Easter break. Where has all the time gone?! It seems like only yesterday that Yr 7 were attending their Secondary School transition days and yet now they have moved through a Summer Sport commitment, experienced a week at our High Country Campus, completed an in-class Christian Studies assessment, submitted a take-home English assessment, sat a Mathematics assessment and are gearing up to hand in a Music assessment. Last week, they even confronted and defeated the spectre that is Yr 7 NAPLAN – Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy! And on top of all of that, they have been involved in a huge range of cocurricular clubs and activities.

What a whirlwind it has been!

This Saturday past was a perfect example of the energy and vitality we have already seen this year at Redlands. Of course, I am referring to the wonderful Redlands Autumn Fair! With a petting zoo, rides, games sideshow alley, great food and entertainment (thank you student dancers!), and even a comical mix of teachers getting soaked in the ‘dunk tank’ (including yours truly), it was a wonderful indicator of the vibrant and supportive community we have at Redlands. There were so many smiling Yr 7 faces enjoying the experience on Saturday and so, if you missed out on it this year, I urge you to attend next year! You can see more of the fair by visiting our website.

On Monday, we began the week with an important Chapel Service with a focus on Harmony Week. A key message of respecting people of all varieties was emphasised, as was the value of coming together as a supportive community in all our endeavours. This built very nicely on our previous week’s focus in Tutor groups on respectful interactions with each other.

On Wednesday, students were placed into their vertical House groups for the second time this term. These groupings contain approximately four students from each year group and are designed to encourage students to connect with and understand the experiences of others across the School. It also allows for students, particularly our Yr 7s, to learn from the experiences of others in Year Groups above them and to connect more comprehensively as a diverse Redlands community. While there has been some awkwardness and uncertainty in these early sessions, Yr 12 leaders and Tutors have done a great job at bringing students together and these groups will no doubt be another great space for important social and emotional learning for students.

A huge congratulations to Aaron Oh who, last night, won the local final round of the Rostrum Voice of Youth Public Speaking Competition in the Junior Division, held at Pymble Ladies College. Aaron has now qualified to compete in the upcoming regional finals scheduled for May. What a great achievement! Congratulations to all students who took part in the competition and thank you to all the coaches and teachers who helped to support them throughout their oratory journey!

Tonight will be the first screening of our Redlands Musical, The Addams Family. I am seeing it tonight and am looking forward to a spectacular night. If you didn’t manage to get tickets for this year’s production, I encourage you to try to see next year’s. I wish all our Yr 7s in the cast and crew all the best for their next three nights of performance!! Break a leg (metaphorically, of course)!

Key Dates and Upcoming Events:

  • Week 9: Cross Country Carnival (Monday 27/3)

This is an enjoyable event for Yr 7 – so get excited and get involved! (See below for further information)

  • Week 10: International Day (Tuesday 4/4)

A fun day of foods, games and events to celebrate our diverse cultural backgrounds at Redlands.

  • Week 10: Yr 7 Vaccinations (Wednesday 5/4)

See details below for further information.

Important Notices

Cross Country Carnival – Monday 27 March

The Secondary School Cross Country Carnival will be held on Monday 27 March (Term 1, Week 9).

This event will be for REGISTERED ATHLETES ONLY, information regarding the carnival can be found following the information below.

  • Registered Yr 11 & 12 Students will be out of class Period 1, 2 & Tutor. (departing at 8:15am)
  • Registered Yr 9 & 10 students will be out of class Period 3 & 4 (departing at 10:10am)
  • Registered Yr 7 & 8 students will be out of class Period 5 & 6 (departing at 12:55pm)

To register please follow the link below.

2023 Redlands Cross Country Carnival

More information regarding the carnival can be found by viewing the 2023 Cross Country Carnival Program

If you have any questions, please see Mr Ellis in the Sports Department.

Balmoral Swim Schools’ Relay Challenge – Make a splash for a great cause!

The Balmoral Swim Schools Relay Challenge is back! On Sunday 2 April from 8am-9am, local schools will come together to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Institute, increase awareness for this important cause, and most importantly, have fun participating in an open water swim relay.

Here’s how it works: each team consists of four swimmers, and each swimmer will swim a 200m leg of the relay. Participants can choose to swim in their year category or an older category, and the entry cost is just $20 per swimmer. 

Don’t want to swim? No problem – you can still support the cause by donating to the Redlands fundraising page to help raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Institute.  

This is a fantastic opportunity to come together, have some fun, and raise funds for a great cause. So, gather your teammates, come along to Balmoral Beach, and make a difference in the fight against childhood cancer.

We can’t wait to see everyone there! Register your team now and join in the fun!

Register Here

Contact Ms Riley rriley@redlands.nsw.edu.au for more information

NSW School Vaccination Program 2023

Each year NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program.

The following vaccines are offered free to Yr 7 students at school on Wednesday 5 April.

  • Yr 7 – diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV)

Students who miss this clinic date will be offered a catch-up opportunity on Thursday 25 May.

From February 2023, children in Yr 7 will now only need one dose of HPV vaccination. This change has been endorsed by ATAGI based on evidence showing that one dose provides the same level of protection against HPV as two doses.  

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received.  To provide consent for vaccination go online, you will need:

Benefits of online consent for parents/carers:

  • SMS notifications when vaccinations are given
  • easy updating of your child’s details online
  • faster upload of your child’s vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from the Year Advisor.

To help answer questions you may have regarding providing vaccination and online consent, please visit the NSW Health website.

 

Mr Jimmy Tod-Hill
Year 7 Advisor
jtodhill@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9908 6462