Head of Early Childhood

Kindy Gymnastics

As a curriculum initiative last year, the School was pleased to introduce a Gymnastics lesson into the Kindergarten program. The integration of Gymnastics is widely known to improve body management and control, and aids in the development of gross motor and manipulative skills. Gymnastics promotes coordination, flexibility, agility, muscular strength, endurance and bone strength, all essential in the physical development of young children. Extended participation in Gymnastics classes also provides many additional cognitive and psychological benefits that will continue to benefit an individual throughout their life, such as social interaction and discipline, improved mental focus and concentration. All Kindergarten students are thoroughly enjoying their one hour sessions on either Mondays or Fridays, instructed by a dedicated team of Gymnastics coaches.

Teaching/Learning and Wellbeing Session

Last Tuesday, Dean of Students Mrs Sam Kourakis, and Dean of Teaching and Learning Mr Nigel Coutts, presented to families the positive behaviour learning framework which contributes to the development of a safe, positive and supportive learning community which is being implemented on the Junior Campus. You will find some interesting points below from the presentation, as well as the slide deck on Redlands Pulse, if you were unable to attend. Thank you to both presenters, whose expertise and knowledge is far reaching in this area.

There is a well-established link between student engagement, student behaviour and academic achievement.
A learning environment can be viewed as an ecosystem involving interactions between the physical environment, the teacher, the curriculum and a multitude of individual student variables, all of which influence student behaviour.
Every learning environment across our Campus has a set of behavioural expectations outlining behaviours for learning, respectful relationships and safety and organisation. These behaviours have been generated by the children using Circle Time.

From the research of Mary-Helen Immordino Yang:

It is literally neurobiologically impossible to build memories, engage complex thoughts, or make meaningful decisions without emotion. Put succinctly, we only think about things we care about.
When learning and knowledge are relatively devoid of emotion, when people learn things by “rote” without internally driven motivation and without a sense of interest or real-world relevance, then it is likely that they won’t be able to use what they learn efficiently in the real world.

The consequences of this include a need to nurture a classroom culture where students feel safe, supported, where they are willing to take risks and enjoy positive relationships. Clear expectations and norms help us adjust to an environment. We learn best when we have an understanding of why the learning matters to us, where we are confident in our ability to achieve goals, even when they involve struggle. Having time to switch-off, quietly reflect and play along with quality rest are essential for learning.

Clean Up Australia Day

Last Sunday, I joined several enthusiastic Redlands families with cleaning up rubbish from the Spit Reserve. It was such a beautiful, sunny day to be by the water and the many bags of rubbish that were collected was indicative of a productive afternoon. Thank you to the School’s Service Coordinator Kria Coleman, for her organisation of this event and for providing a delicious afternoon tea. To the children and parents who took part this year, thank you for taking time out of your weekend to give back to the community. I am always heartened by the generosity of Redlands families when it comes to community and charity events.

Staff News: P-6 Counsellor

Next Monday, the School welcomes Mrs Elizabeth Foster as the Junior Campus P-6 Counsellor. Elizabeth brings a wealth of expertise and experience as a psychologist, most recently working with primary-aged children. She has a keen interest in working with families and in schools particularly. Dean of Students, Mrs Sam Kourakis, will closely work alongside Elizabeth as she familiarises herself with the students and the school community. Elizabeth’s office is situated in the Parkes Building on the Junior Campus.

Preparatory School Snowsports Parent Information Morning

We will be holding an information session on Friday 15 March in the Lucy Hill Library from 8.30 – 9.30am. All parents are welcome to come and learn about Snowsports at Redlands. This session will be your opportunity to meet staff and ask any questions you may have.

Parent Teacher Learning Meetings

As previously mentioned, Parent Teacher Learning meetings will be held for the Preparatory School in Week 8, between Monday 18 – Friday 22 March. Bookings are now open and will close on Wednesday 13 March. To make a booking go to School Interviews and follow these simple instructions.

School Event Code – wnkcf
Enter your details
Choose your teacher
Choose your time
When you click Finish, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically – check your junk mail folder if you do not receive your email immediately.

You can return to School Interviews at any time, and change your interviews, until bookings close.

Easter Eggs for Sydney’s Homeless

Redlands Preparatory School will once again provide Easter eggs and special encouraging cards to the men and women experiencing homelessness at Edward Eagar Lodge in Sydney this Easter. What started as a simple gesture of care has become a much-anticipated tradition among both those who give and receive. The homeless men and women who have received the gifts in the past often ask about the wellbeing of the students who made their special cards and are looking forward to their treats again this year. The children love the story of one man who has kept his cards each year and they have become his most prized possessions. They also love preparing the gift bags and the cards and this simple gift allows some fellow Sydneysiders experiencing homelessness, a sense of inclusion in this celebration.

For families wishing to be involved, please send Easter eggs, especially small and medium-sized eggs to Prep Reception. The students will create gift bags with the donated eggs and cards during recess, lunch and Christian Studies lessons. Our aim this year is to create 300 bags. For any additional information please contact Fiona McKenzie, Junior Campus Chaplain.

Premiers Reading Challenge

Please look out for information in the coming weeks from the Librarian in regards to the Premiers Reading Challenge. It is delightful to hear some families already keen to begin this challenge. If you have your Student Planner from 2018, Log in and Password details will be there for you to re-use. Before the end of this term, Mrs Roberts will place details in Planners for all students to begin this wonderful opportunity.

Absences

As a reminder, if your child is absent, please send correspondence to the following email address: earlychildhood@redlands.com.au

Redlands Inaugural Sports Luncheon

The Redlands Inaugural Sports Luncheon, celebrating 120 years of Redlands Sport, will be held towards the end of this term on Friday 5 April between 12.00 – 4.00pm at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Kirribilli.

This Luncheon is open to all Redlands parents and alumni and provides a great opportunity to celebrate the integral value of sport to the Redlands community and its students of the past, present and future. We are delighted to announce our guest speakers, all past Redlands students, who will share their very inspiring journey during this luncheon:

Karyn Gojnich (née Davis), Class of 1978 (Olympic Sailor, Redlander and former Redlands parent)
Janusz Hooker, Class of 1987 (Olympic Rower)
Lachlan Mackay, Class of 2000 (Rugby: Australian Wallaby)
Holly Crawford, Class of 2001 (Olympic Snowboarder)

Tickets are $130 per person and include a gourmet two course meal and beverages. Limited spaces are available and bookings can be made here. I hope to see many of you there as we recognise this milestone in the history of Redlands Sport.

Easter Working Bee

Mrs Audrey Fellowes
Head of Early Childhood
afellowes@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 9848