Head of Junior School

Head of Junior School

It has been such a pleasure to meet so many community members at this week’s Meet The Teacher sessions and the Kindergarten Morning Tea. I have been overwhelmed by the positive sentiments and warm welcome that has been extended to me, the new Junior School Leadership Team, and all of the new staff at who have commenced at Redlands. I am so excited for the year ahead!

This week, I spoke to 3-6 students at assembly about the importance of having an open mindset and embracing new challenges. At the start of a new academic year, there are endless opportunities for our students to grow, whether through exploring new areas of study, engaging in cocurricular activities or forming new friendships. Encouraging our children to step out of their comfort zones fosters resilience, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Australian mindset coach Ben Crowe has worked with some of the world’s top athletes, business leaders, and performers to help them cultivate a strong mental approach to success. He has coached sporting greats such as Ash Barty, the former world No. 1 tennis player, and Richmond Football Club in the AFL, helping them develop resilience, self-belief and purpose-driven performance. Crowe teaches that success is not about achieving perfection but about striving for progress and enjoying the journey. This perspective is particularly valuable for our students as they navigate new subjects, cocurricular pursuits and social interactions. By focusing on effort and learning rather than outcomes alone, they develop resilience and confidence.

At Redlands, we offer a broad and enriching curriculum, and I encourage all students to explore new areas of interest. Whether it’s trying a new sport, joining a music or dance ensemble, learning a musical instrument or participating in a debating competition, every experience contributes to their personal growth. Cocurricular activities not only enhance skills but also teach important life lessons about teamwork, discipline and perseverance.

Friendships also play a crucial role in a child’s school experience. I have spoken with students about the importance of being open to new friendships and showing kindness and inclusivity. It’s easy to stick with familiar faces, but forming new connections helps build empathy and social confidence. At Redlands, we believe in fostering a school culture that embodies our core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and moral courage. For example, students demonstrate fairness by including new classmates in games and group activities, ensuring that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Similarly, acts of compassion. such as checking in on a friend who seems lonely or offering a kind word to someone struggling, strengthen our community and make Redlands a place where every student feels valued and supported.

As parents and educators, we play a pivotal role in nurturing an open mindset in our children. When they see us modelling curiosity, resilience and a willingness to embrace new challenges, they are more likely to adopt these attitudes themselves. Encouraging positive self-talk, celebrating effort over results and reminding them that learning is a journey will help them develop the confidence to pursue their passions without fear of failure.

I look forward to seeing our students embrace this mindset as they take on new opportunities throughout the year. Let’s continue to work together to cultivate a school culture that encourages curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to try new things.

Contact Details in Pulse

A request to parents/carers whose contact details have changed over the past 12 months (eg. email, mobile phone): Could you please update these on Pulse by cob Monday 10 February, as we will be sending out Year Group Contact Lists next week and we would like to ensure these contain the most up-to-date contact details. 

Junior School Morning Teas

Twilight in the Garden

Our Twilight in the Garden event provides a wonderful opportunity for our new families to connect with our school community on the Fahl Garden on our Senior Campus. We are expecting this to be another sold out event for parents and carers, so please purchase your tickets early here.

International Women’s Day – March Forward Breakfast

Monday 10 March, 7am-9am

Redlands is pleased to announce the first event in our inaugural ‘Voice Notes: Illuminating Issues that Matter’ series. The series aims to spark conversation on issues impacting education and will span a range of topics across 2025.

We are starting the year by marking International Women’s Day with a breakfast event in conversation with Australia’s e Safety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant. An event not to be missed.

Please also save the date for future Voice Notes events throughout the year: 

Term 2: Gen AI: Who’s Really in Control?
Friday 9 May – evening event

Term 3: The Future of School: Seeing around corners
Thursday 7 August – breakfast event

Term 4: Navigating a Changing World
Thursday 30 Oct – evening event

Michael Quach
Head of Junior School
mquach@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Deputy Head: Operations (P-6)

Carline

Thank you to the parents who utilise car line safely in the morning and afternoon. We appreciate you observing the curb side signage and following the directions of staff. This week we have been trialling a variety of different initiatives to see if we can make car line operate quicker, smoother and, most importantly, safer. As of the beginning of Week 3, please follow these guidelines in car line.

  • Pull up behind the car in front of you and next to the curb
  • Stay in the line (if you drive around the outside of the car line and cut in, you will be asked to join the back of the line)
  • Remain in your car at all times
  • Your child will be called to wait at a numbered sign
  • Drive up to your child and leave immediately after your child gets into the car
  • Do not text message or call your child to meet you at the bottom of Alister Street

We understand that this is a slightly different way of running car line. However, we are confident that these measures will help to make car line operate quicker, smoother and, most importantly, safer. Thanks for your cooperation and support!

OOSH

Extra-Curricular Option: Reduced Fee

  • Students who participate in an activity after school, such as sport training or ballet and dance, now have access to OOSH for a reduced fee of $25.
  • The ‘Extra-Curricular’ option is for those students who need short stay supervision after their co-curricular activity finishes, of before their extra-curricular activity starts.
  • Students who access this service will be offered afternoon tea and supervised participation in the OOSH program.
  • The ‘Extra-Curricular’ fee will be back dated to February 1 for those families who paid the full fee when their children participated in an after school activity during Week 2. 

Some Important Reminders Regarding our OOSH Program

  • Enrolments for OOSH roll over to each term so please adjust your bookings accordingly to not incur further charges each term.
  • Please make bookings through the app – HubHello. On the day bookings are subject to availability.

Collection and Sign Out Procedures

  • When you arrive to collect your child/ren in the afternoon, please go directly to the OOSH room. One of the educators will collect your child/ren and bring them to you. Please do not go to the playground to collect your child/ren. It’s important that our educators locate the child/ren and bring them to you at the OOSH room door.
  • When you have your child/ren, please sign them out on the iPad located outside the OOSH room.

Late Pick Up Fee

Students picked up after 6pm:

  • $5.00 fee until 6:05pm
  • After 6:05 PM the charge is $5.00 per minute thereafter

On the Day Casual Booking

  • Additional – $5.00 fee

Cancellation Process

If your child/ren do not require the After School Care (ASC) booking, please let us know as soon as possible via email ooshbookings@redlands.nsw.edu.au

  • Within 24 hours’ notice of cancellation the full ASC fee will apply
  • 24 or more hours’ notice no fee will apply
  • If we are required to contact, you to verify a child’s whereabouts, the full session fee plus an additional $5.00 fee will apply

Vacation Care

Please ensure that your child brings breakfast, morning tea and lunch to VAC Care. Lunch is not provided, unless stipulated for the day. However, afternoon tea is provided, the same as ASC.

After School Care Reminders

  • If you require another person to collect your child who is not on your child’s enrolment, you must provide written permission. That person must also provide  photo ID upon collection.
  • Fruit and vegetables are provided for afternoon tea and a light snack. The menu is available outside the OOSH room.

Amber Wilson
Deputy Head of Junior School: Operations (P-6)
awilson@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Junior School Teacher Librarians

Redlands supports the Premier’s Reading Challenge as a way of promoting reading for pleasure. Last year, a large number of students participated in the program. In 2024 the whole of Year 2 and Year 3 cohort completed the PRC, which was something to celebrate. This year’s challenge will commence on 28 February. We hope for another year of active reading and participation.

Students who were at Redlands last year will use the same login details. In the coming weeks, all students will receive a sticker with their username and password details, which will be placed in their Student Planners. We will introduce the PRC during Library lessons.

Please go on to https://online.det.nsw.edu.au/prc/home.html  (Or google PRC, NSW) to start entering books. Students have until the end of August to enter all the books they have read.

After four years, students are entitled to a GOLD PRC certificate, after 7 years, a PLATINUM! These certificates are huge achievements and celebrated in assembly with Mr Quach.

Thank you for your ongoing support with the Premier’s Reading Challenge.