Head of Secondary School

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A Focused Return to School

Monday marked a really strong start to Term 4 for students. Our Year 11 students left early on Monday morning for their final Redlands Camp and our Year 7 to 10 students bounced back onto the Senior Campus full of energy, with stories of faraway holidays and family staycations. 

I really enjoyed being able to catch up with students so early on in the term via a range of assemblies held on Monday morning. Firstly, we gathered Year 10 who were reunited as a cohort after a term of Winter School. Then we moved to Stage assemblies in Redlands Hall.

It was wonderful to be able to welcome the following new students and staff members into our community. 

NSW All Schools Championships

Congratulations to the following students!

Olivia Law (Yr 7) came 4th in the 13 years girls 1500m and 5th in 14 year girls 3000m and has qualified for the Australian Junior Athletics Championships. 

Elizabeth Whelan (Yr 9) competed in the 14 years hammer throw. She came first with a distance of 42.86m and has qualified to represent Redlands in the NSW team at the Australian All Schools Championships in Perth, in December.

Amber Kusano (Yr 9) came 4th in the 15 years girls 800m and has qualified for the Australian Junior Athletics Championships. 

Year 12

Yr 12 students kept their teachers busy marking practice submissions during the holidays and many attended school every day to study in the Redlands Learning Hub. The IB exams commence in a couple of weeks and the HSC exams began yesterday. We wish Year 12 all the best with their final examinations and know they will navigate this time with resilience and confidence. 

Key Messages

During the assemblies on Monday morning, the students received a few key messages.

• Term 4 requires a strong focus on academic study so students can demonstrate their learning in examination blocks designed to develop skills in revision, timed conditions and resilience.
• Other People Matter – students are expected to be mindful of themselves and others in person and online. Considering and caring about others supports our own wellbeing. 
• Coaching Conversations begin in Week 2 and students are expected to set thoughtful and actionable goals for the term.

Students were affirmed for their positive contributions in Term 3.

• Year 7 for their growth in assemblies through a focus on self-management strategies
• Year 8 for their awareness of others and the development of a broader social awareness 
• Year 9 for leaning into the supports available at school and their responsible decision-making
• Year 10 for doing an amazing job of developing new relationships and preparing themselves for Year 11

Students were also made aware of the updates to the following guidelines and policies:

• Secondary School Student Code of Conduct (to replace the School Rules)
• Student Discipline Policy
• Redlands ICT Use Policy for Students (to replace ICT Student Responsible User Guidelines)

These updates will be explored with students across this term in class and tutor time. The updates represent our dedication to ongoing review and renewal of our practices in support of the very best student outcomes.

Examination Information

Week 3 – Year 7 and Year 10

Week 4 – Year 8 and Year 10

Students in Stage 4 (Year 7 and 8) should be engaging in a minimum of 60 minutes study and revision each week day, and 2-3 hours on the weekend, from the start of Term 4.

Students in Stage 5 (Year 9 and 10) should be engaging in a minimum of 60-90 minutes study and revision each week day, and 3-4 hours on the weekend, from the start of Term 4. 

Students will receive customisable study schedules to assist with the layout of their revision leading up to, and during, the examination block period. 

Successful students adhere to a routine. Our experience shows that the stronger the habit formation, the stronger the skillset and capacity to tackle examinations. This experience is built from Year 7 and the design of the examination blocks is age and stage appropriate. 

We appreciate parent support of the following:

• Personal study schedule which details learning, study, sport and other activities from Week 1 to end of Week 3 or 4
• Visibility of the study schedule and affirmation of its use as an organisational tool
• Visiting Study Centre for quiet, group or assisted study – this can happen before or after Sport training of an afternoon
• Calm and reflective management of expected stress and emotional regulation – the exams may be stressful and provoke a range of emotions. The examination period is brief and students have access to a range of supports. 

After the Examinations

After the exams, the focus on learning and engagement will continue until the final day of term.

Students will not be winding down, but rather engaging in learning new skills and content that will help them as they start to prepare for 2024. 

Mobile Phones at Redlands

State schools have completely banned mobile phones this week. At Redlands we believe in teaching self-management and responsible decision-making, and have in place clear expectations for device use.

Students were reminded that they are not allowed to have their mobile phone on their person during the school day – that means in class, at recess and at lunch. It also means at sport training and when they are engaged in cocurricular clubs, etc. 

Mobile phones should be stored in a student’s locker at all times. If a student cannot manage to adhere to this expectation, their phone will be confiscated. If a student’s inability to manage their phone persists, the consequences will escalate. 

Students have been reminded that if they need to contact mum or dad, they are to ask a member of the Reception team to phone for them, or to see their Tutor or YA who may give them special permission to use their phone. 

If students need to use their phone for learning, their teacher will alert them, and build in time during the lesson for the mobile phone to be retrieved and returned to the locker. 

Why are we engaged with this mobile phone expectation at Redlands? Our students require the support of adults to effectively manage themselves and their devices. Last term they told us they needed greater support and boundaries, via surveys and focus groups. The constant notifications, the group chats, the tiktok videos which regularly interrupt their personal space negatively impact their focus and self-management, as well as their capacity to learn and develop in-person relationships. We have confidence that our students can manage this expectation and we appreciate parent support of this important self-management strategy. 

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