Head of Preparatory School
Recognising and Celebrating our Diversity
Harmony Week has provided us with a wonderful opportunity to spotlight and celebrate diversity in the Preparatory School. Classroom conversations and friendship circles have focussed on the language and meaning of diversity. In the early years, this will often move to shared understanding around how we appreciate that we are all different and that every person belongs. Throughout the week I have listened to class discussions, read stories, and enjoyed watching the students engage in activities that focused upon recognising, respecting and celebrating differences. Sadly, we see too often in our communities, differences being feared, disrespected and misunderstood and I worry that our young learners hear throw away comments from adults or watch inappropriate images and content that can start to form their opinions of differences in a negative way. I encourage us all to be aware of these situations and know that even the smallest of comments can make lasting impressions on our smallest of learners.
A collective activity to recognise diversity this week was the delicious and fun French breakfast on Tuesday. We felt like we were having breakfast on the Champs Elysées with Madam Merlot creating an authentic French experience for our Prep students. I hope that you have also appreciated the beautiful Harmony Week peace doves that are around the Prep School.
A Message from K-6 OOSH
We are so proud of our children, families, and staff involvement with OOSH this term! Parents have been engaging with our activities in many ways, making it possible for us to get to know our children even more. After receiving beautiful books written in many different languages, we want to hear more from you; What is your family’s favourite traditional meal? Our next step is to create, with the children and families, our OOSH cookbook. Children have already started working on this project, and it looks promising!
Our community will continue to be our focus for the upcoming Vacation Care, and some parents have already shared great ideas with our team. There will be delicious food, performances and activities reflecting our diverse group. Don’t forget to email us or talk to us if you can collaborate in any way! Children feel so happy when they can share about their families with others, and this is so important to help create the sense of belonging that we are celebrating this week.
A reminder that the Prep Reception doors are closed from 4pm. All entering and exiting must go through the Junior School Reception please.
Thank you for all the support!
Save the Date: Year 2 Strings Open Lesson
Yr 2 students are excited to share their Term 1 Strings learning in an Open Lesson in Week 10. Parents and carers are invited to witness the wonderful skills and concepts students have been working on, and the connections they are making to their non-instrumental curriculum music lessons. Please save the date for Monday 3 April 2:20pm, with more details to follow.
Redlands International Day
4 April
The excitement is building for our Prep International Day on Tuesday 4 April. We encourage our students to come dressed in or have a splash of colour from the country that they identify with. It certainly is wonderful to show traditional dress but at the same time, the day is about us celebrating our international diversity, not competing about costumes!
To help facilitate the day’s planning, we would love volunteers to come and help us at the times and activities listed below. Please email me directly at abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au if you would like to be part of the day. For those parents who have already been in contact with me, hopefully you are happy for me to place you on any activity.
8.30-9am – sporting activities and games (soccer, badminton, tee-ball, Bollywood dance)
9am-10.30am, 11am-12pm, 12pm-1pm – Arts and craft from around the world
(Vietnamese hat making, Chinese dragons, Origami, Latin American fiesta, USA dream catchers, Indian Sari making and henna, European Easter egg decorating)
We have an interesting rotation where our students will be making origami figures, this will require a lot of paper. If you would like to donate any scrapbooking type of paper for this activity, we would be very grateful.
Allister Street
Unfortunately, I must again remind Prep parents about the dangers of parking and driving illegally on Allister Street. This week alone, we have had two near misses of children being hit by cars. It is illegal in any situation to perform a U-turn over double lines, so please refrain from doing this on Allister Street.
Please know that if you are caught in traffic or finding a car spot, your child will never be left alone. The class teacher will always wait with them until they are picked up.
A gentle reminder that no parent is to enter the car park on foot to pick up their child. The car park is for carline only please.
Once again, thank you for working with us to keep our children safe around the school.
Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Hours
The Uniform Shop will close at 4pm on Thursday 6 April and reopen on Thursday 20 April 2023. All students must return in full winter uniform (including blazers) for Term 2. To make an appointment for a winter uniform fitting, please click HERE or visit Pulse for further details.
If you have any queries, please call 9968 9850 or email uniformorders@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Ainslie Breckenridge
Head of Preparatory School
abreckenridge@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848