From the Principal
As the calendar flips from February to March (with an extra day of February thrown in), summer transitions to autumn (although it certainly still feels like summer today) and we come to the halfway point of Term 1, I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect on the year to date by sharing some of my highlights of the past week.
Academically, students are deeply engaging in their learning and this was best illustrated at our Year 12 HSC and IB Breakfast last week where our current Year 12 students were given the road map of their studies for the year ahead with the approaches and supports the School puts in place to best assist them in achieving their personal bests.
Cocurricular activities are in full swing across the School. This weekend was the last regular season round of Secondary School ISA Sports fixtures, and I am pleased to report that my 17A Basketball team won their last regular season game of the season! I also attended the NSW Boys Head of the River Rowing Regatta on Sunday and while it was great to see our rowers competing at this level on Sunday, what struck me most from getting around to the Rowing and other weekend sports fixtures was the conversations I had with Year 12 students who reflected, sometimes quite emotionally, about how much competing for the School has meant to them after finishing their last game or race.
On Wednesday, I also enjoyed singing along in the Secondary School Choir rehearsal and I know our performing arts students are getting excited for the many upcoming events such as Jazz in the Garden, the School Musical, Theatresports Competitions, Instrumental Competition, Shakespeare Under the Stars and the Junior School Red Factor.
It is wonderful to continue to see our strong parent engagement across the School and I had the great pleasure of meeting some new families to Redlands at our Year 7 Meet and Greet on Monday evening who shared their positive experiences of Redlands to date.
Pleasingly, our values continue to underpin everything we do, and this was best illustrated in the Prep School Assembly on Tuesday where 2B and 2Y shared their reflections on the importance of respect with students and staff at the assembly.
I have also been impressed by the leadership our students have been displaying across the School both in formal and informal contexts. On Wednesday I had the opportunity to share insights on leadership with our Secondary School student leaders and hearing their ideas, aspirations and reflections to date certainly instils confidence in me for the year ahead.
Finally, if our Junior School Swimming Carnival was a barometer, our school spirit continues to shine as students not only had a great day competing in their races but also chanting, singing and dancing for their Houses in the stands.
So, if this small snapshot is any indication, I think we have had a great start to the year.
Mr Sean Corcoran
Photo Caption: Congratulations to Roseby House for winning the Junior School Swimming Carnival held this week.