Head of Secondary School
International Women’s Day Breakfast
Please do come along to the School’s International Women’s Day Breakfast. This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is Count Her In. Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress. This week our Student Leaders held their second student and staff panel to explore why investing in women is so important. Ms Green, our Innovation and Entrepreneurial Learning Strategist, spoke about the gains that have been made and the ongoing journey for women. She explained how shocking it was, that despite being more skilled and better educated than ever before, women are still more likely to be in low-wage, insecure and informal jobs than men. Moreover, they are receiving less pay than their male counterparts in those roles. The latest estimates are that it will take an investment of 360 billion dollars per year to reach gender equity. Ms Green explained how the reality of these figures can feel distant for our Redlands students who are continuously championed in an inclusive environment, but went on to outline how sadly, economic abuse is very much a reality here in Australia where 1 in 6 women experience being locked out of financial decision making and knowledge; knowledge that can change the trajectory of their lives. She reminded students that last year Dr Christina Curry, Chair of Bayside Women’s Shelter, addressed all of Year 9 and shared many stories about the difficulty of escaping dangerous situations without any financial independence. Globally 1 billion women are denied access to financial tools and bank accounts.
The students were keen to hear about the flip side – how investing in women makes good economic sense. Investing in women unlocks the potential of half the population, effectively doubling the output. Moreover, women are key to ameliorating some of our most pressing social issues—health, education, reducing poverty and fostering more equitable societies. Ms Green and Ms Willis reminded us that when women thrive, so too do their communities. Women’s perspectives and leadership drive innovation and entrepreneurship across a broad range of industries and need to continue to do so, particularly in those that have historically been male dominated. Ms Willis’ story of her maternal and paternal grandmothers, who were both successful small business owners, reinforced these important points. Now, more than ever, we need to invest in the next generation. We need to encourage young women not to feel pressure to follow the traditional template provided to us by men in power but instead to encourage and champion young women to bring their own unique skills to the fore, leading side by side with their male peers, in a more inclusive and diverse space.
The conversations, informal and formal, taking place at School at the moment are powerful, informative and personal. We look forward to continuing them with you at the IWD Breakfast on Monday 11 March.
Year 7 Experiences and Events
Year 7 have gotten to know each other and their teachers better this week on Camp at High Country Campus in Jindabyne. Below is a picture of Cowper at the top of Mount Kosciusko.
In the coming weeks, a range of events are held by the School in support of Year 7 transition and we strongly encourage all Year 7 parents/carers to attend.
On Monday night, the Meet and Greet provides a chance to meet other Year 7 parents and the key staff who work and learn with our newest community members each day. The Principal and Year Advisor will both speak and parents/carers will have the opportunity to mingle and share experiences. There is no need to RSVP to this event – just come along!
On Wednesday 28 February from 6.00pm an online webinar is being held for Year 7 parents hosted by the Dean of Studies, called Learning in the Secondary School. We do hope all Year 7 parents/carers can jump online for this event, which will provide information on learning and assessment in the Secondary School.
Study Centre
This week has seen some strong representations of effective studying and help-seeking across Year 8 to 12. Many Year 12 students have been studying in the Year 12 Study Space on Level 2 of the Learning Hub. After moving beyond the Maths exams and English panels from the previous week, IB students are preparing to submit their first EE draft and HSC students busily working on PDHPE, Drama performance essays and more. It has been incredibly affirming to witness the same students studying hard, some independently and others in groups, across Level 2 of the Learning Hub.
Year 8 to 11 students have also shown in up in record numbers to complete home learning and prepare for assessments in the Roseby Library Study Centre which runs from 3.30-7.00pm Monday to Thursday. Some of our Illuminate Academic Coaches commenced this week and offered their assistance to students working in both the Roseby Library and the Year 12 Study Space.
Illuminate Scholars Program
Next week, the Illuminate Scholars Program commences officially on Level 3 of the Learning Hub. We already have good numbers of students enrolling across the week, with half and full sessions now available. A few parents and students have asked questions and we’ve composed a helpful set of FAQs for your support.
Illuminate Scholars Program: Frequently Asked Questions
When can my child attend the Illuminate Scholars program?
Monday to Thursday from 3.30-7.30pm. Students may attend one or more days.
Does my child need to stay the entire time?
There are two sessions: a half session (3.30-5.30pm or 5.30-7.300pm) and a full session (3.30-7.30pm).
Why offer half sessions?
Students may wish to spend a couple of hours and then go home for dinner. Other students who go to Sport training like to return to the Senior Campus and jump into 2 hours of dedicated study one evening a week.
Who oversees the Illuminate Program?
The School has employed two Independent Learning Coordinators, Redlander Grace Bracks (2020) and ex-Ascham student Lilli O’Driscoll (2021). They are responsible for the students and Academic Coaches and ensuring that each student is supported according to their needs and preferences. Please see their bios on the Pulse Page.
How many Academic Coaches are employed?
As well as being able to act as coaches themselves, and provide specific Tutor advice and support to students, the Independent Learning Coordinators currently manage 6 Academic Coaches (or tutors) to support and assist students across Years 7 to 12. The coaches’ bios can be found on the Illuminate Pulse page. We are super excited that we have a range of coaches – past students of Redlands, other schools and a variety of ages. As the Illuminate Program grows, we will continue to employ more Tutors – we are keen to employ alumni who have excelled in their studies at School.
What actually happens in an Illuminate session?
Students are greeted by the Independent Learning Coordinator who ascertains their focus for the afternoon, which might be:
- Home learning activities set by the subject teacher
- Revision of prior learning
- Assessment or examination preparation
- Support with difficult topics or writing tasks
- Alternate explanations to assist with deeper understanding
- Support with application of knowledge, such as testing formulas on unseen or more challenging questions
- Composing a study schedule
- Learning new study skills
Together with the Independent Learning Coordinator or an Academic Coach, there is an agreement about how long a student will ‘work’ on an area of learning.
A suitable Academic Coach will be assigned to them, and they may work with the student for 5 minutes, 20 minutes or longer depending on what they need.
Will the Academic Coach sit with my child the entire time?
No. This is not necessary. Tutors are ‘guides on the side’, and sometimes the ‘sage on the stage’. Typically, the student is at the centre and at times, the student will need to ‘work’ independently. The student will need to try on their own, have a go, perhaps make another mistake, before seeking the assistance of the Academic Coach again, who will continue to check-in, offer support and be encouraging. The aim of Illuminate is to foster and develop confidence in help-seeking behaviours, application of advice and spending dedicated time engaged in focused study.
What does a 1:5 ratio mean?
This means that for every 5 students there is at least one Academic Coach. It does not mean that students are taught in groups of five.
Is this Group Tutoring?
The Illuminate Scholars program is not group tutoring. There are no groups, unless the student or a group of students wishes to work together on a topic or activity. Instead, students receive 1:1 support from Academic Coaches who have excelled in English, Maths, Sciences and the Arts.
Will my child have access to the same Academic Coach?
Generally, yes. The Academic Coaches are scheduled across the four days and tend to work the same days each week. There are enough of them that each child should feel they can establish a connection with a Coach who suits them.
Do the Academic Coaches work in tandem with the Redlands staff?
Yes. The Coaches and Independent Learning Coordinators have met the Head of Maths, Head of English and other key staff such as the Academic Deans and the Library staff. Students experiencing ongoing difficulty or challenge will be raised with the appropriate Redlands staff member, so that we are effectively triangulating support for the student.
Will the Academic Coaches be in contact with the parents?
Yes, if need be. The Academic Coaches, led by the Independent Learning Coordinators, will utilise the School systems and processes, so as to keep parents looped in and to provide feedback.
What happens at dinner?
At 5.45pm students and staff break for dinner. At this time, the students get a rest, an opportunity to chat with each other and staff and have a run around if need be. Students remaining for the full session are also provided with afternoon tea.
Do students get to stand up and stretch?
Yes. Students are encouraged to take breaks and develop the executive functioning skills to self-manage and be organised.
What happens if my child is sick/absent and misses a session?
A missed session can be made up at another time.
Who do I contact if I need further information?
Please make contact with the Independent Learning Coordinators (Lilli and Grace) on illuminate@redlands.nsw.edu.au
Ms Gemma Van de Peer
Head of Secondary School
gvandepeer@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9811