Year 9
Stage 5 Assembly
A wonderful aspect of Redlands is the responsibility placed on our Yr 12 students to run assemblies. These assemblies are always well considered and are highly engaging as a result.
This week was the first of our combined Stage 5 Student Led Assemblies and I wish to highlight two key moments from this that shined a spotlight on our Yr 9 students.
The first was the recognition of Zoe Trevena, who received the first Step Beyond Award for the year. Throughout the Rowing season, Zoe has been challenging herself to step outside her comfort zone and move from the position of a cox to learn to and compete in the single scull events. It takes a great amount of perseverance and confidence to do this, and Zoe should be proud of her efforts.
The second was the participation of Rupert Perry and Amelie Dewar in an International Women’s Day panel, hosted by Yr 12 student Sophia Rolon. Both students provided unique insights into the importance gender equality. Rupert provided some suggestions on the need for more mixed sporting opportunities and Amelie provided her perspectives why days such as this are important. Amelie acknowledged the need to recognise the achievements of women to this point in gaining a greater level of equality and the need for further change as we look to the future. Their thoughts were well-articulated, authentic and positive – a good start to the conversations we will have over the next few weeks in the lead up to International Womens Day on 8 March.
Subject Focus – Commerce
On Tuesday, Year 9 Commerce participated in a workshop with our Careers Advisors, Ms Justine Fowler and Ms Clare Hurst. The workshop was designed to assist them in the successful completion of their current Commerce assessment, My First Year out of Home. The assessment task asks students to choose from one of three personas and prepare a detailed process journal that maps their research, ability to present their research in meaningful ways and ultimately their plans for a successful first year out of home.
Our personas range from ‘Felix’ whose parents are moving to Singapore once he graduates from Redlands. Felix has other plans; he wishes to remain in Australia where his friends will be attending university. Persona 2, ‘Jess’, has a desire to travel post school and is looking into studying in the United Kingdom. Our final persona, ‘Tom’, plans to defer university and start his own business in his parents’ garage. The Year 9 cohort have been instructed to choose the persona that best represents their current thinking and use it as a springboard to explore their own post school options.
Our Careers team were on hand to walk Year 9 through choosing courses, unpacking the University Admissions Centre, understanding university pre-requisites, and assumed knowledge, explaining HECS HELP loans and some of the finer details of studying abroad.
In the next phase of the task students must find a suitable place to live, a part time job, prepare a budget and ultimately weave together a cohesive plan that details how they expect to manage on their own in their first year out. This assessment task sits against a backdrop of their Financial Decisions unit where we have been exploring whether Sydney is an affordable city, the median income in Australia and budgeting for a typical Australian family.
We encourage you to discuss your child’s Commerce task with them as well as what they have been learning about in Commerce this year.
Secondary School Individual Portraits and Sibling Photos Catch -up Opportunity
Friday 1 March
A catch-up date for missed Year 7-12 Portrait photos and sibling photos will be offered on Friday 1 March at 10.10-11.05am in the Learning Hub Level 2 Atrium.
All students are required to be wearing their full school uniform, including blazers for all and ties for boys. Boys must be clean shaven with hair that has been cut so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Boys and girls with a hair length touching the collar is to be styled and tied-up neatly so that it is away from eyes, ears and collar. Hair is to be tied back with navy and hair coloured accessories. No hair dye, mullet style haircuts, make-up or nail polish is permitted. No jewellery is to be worn other than one pair of plain gold or silver studs in ear lobes.
If you have any questions, alterations or additional orders, please contact Melba Studios directly on (02) 9438 4566 or email sales@melbastudios.com.au.
Upcoming Events
We have a few events left in the first part of the term which include:
- Week 4 – Friday 1 March 1 – Portrait Photos Catch-up
- Week 8 – Musical Week
Mr Tobias Horan
Yr 9 Advisor
9968 9872
thoran@redlands.nsw.edu.au