Head of Junior School
Welcome Back
Welcome back to Term 2 and I trust that you have all enjoyed a restful break over these past two weeks. I know a number of our students were involved in holiday Netball, Football and Dance programs here at School in the first week before the Easter weekend and I thank coaches and teachers involved in facilitating these.
The students have returned with great excitement and energy and the staff and I look forward to guiding and supporting them in the term ahead.
ANZAC Day Services
With ANZAC Day during the holiday period, we spent some time at our final Junior School assembly of Term 1 reflecting on the significance of this date and our Concert Band played a wonderful piece entitled The New Anzacs by Brian Hogg to commemorate our Service.
Then, last Thursday, I was privileged to attend the Dawn Service at Mosman, where Redlands Secondary students laid a wreath of remembrance as one of our School Board Directors, Reverend Tim St Quintin, played a prominent role in the Service. In amongst the large crowd, it was also lovely to see many Redlands families also present.
As we returned this week, Junior School Captains, Aneke Golowenko and Krishna Gupta, and I were invited to attend the Secondary School ANZAC Service, where it was wonderful to hear from students and special guests, Lieutenant Colonel Karen Such, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Morrison and Reverend Tim St Quintin, who serves as an Army Chaplain, about their roles in the Armed Forces and the history of the ANZACs.
Baby News
During the holidays, we were thrilled to hear of the safe arrival of baby Arla Michael, a second daughter for our Junior School Sports Administrator, Mrs Gemma Michael. Gemma and Arla are home and well and we look forward to a visit from them later in the term.
Staffing News
As mentioned at the end of last term, this week we have been delighted to welcome Mrs Danielle Vita (Music) and Mr Brad Hemopo (PDHPE) to our Junior Campus staff team. Both have already settled in and I know you will join me in welcoming them to our School community.
Redlands High Country Campus Working Bee
Over the Easter break, my family joined others from all sections of our School at the annual Easter Working Bee at the School’s High Country Campus in Jindabyne, coordinated by Redlands Board Director, Mrs Colleen Godsell AM. The High Country Campus is stunning and matched with similar weather, the weekend provided an opportunity for families to support the School with aspects of maintenance and general upkeep of the Campus as well as enjoy time to explore the Snowy Mountains region at this time of year. The long weekend also provided children from Preschool up to Yr 9 with chances to explore the outdoor environment and opportunities at the Campus and it was wonderful to see many of the older students involve themselves in aspects of the working bee. My thanks are extended to all of the families who were able to be part of this wonderful community weekend; one that I would encourage other families to consider and bookmark for next year.
Mother’s Day Breakfast
Next Friday, 10 May, sees us host our annual Mother’s Day breakfast for Junior Campus mums. We hope to see many of you in for this special event which will be held in the Piazza area around the Canteen as per the flyer below.
Student Fundraising
I was delighted to hear of a group of Yr 4 students who organised and then ran a bake sale over the holidays to raise money to help the endangered grey wolf. The idea was the brainchild of Alexander Klose who enlisted assistance from his friends Derek Hu, Lucas Law, Sergey Philips and Jay Roger. The boys had spent some lunchtimes in Term 1 discussing endangered animals and how they could help. They then spent time making posters and flyers to educate passers-by about the plight of the grey wolves and, over the holidays, the boys held a bake sale raising an incredible $217.50, which has been donated to the Defenders of Wildlife.
Winter Uniform
A reminder that we have transitioned now to Winter uniform which includes blazers being worn on a daily basis except for Wednesdays when students have Sport.
Transport NSW Information
The School has been informed by Transport NSW that the Hampden Avenue bus stop on Military Road is now closed from 6am-10am on weekdays. This has been implemented to add an extra city bound lane in the mornings to ease congestion and help improve citybound traffic flow.
Redlands students who previously alighted at this stop should now alight at Neutral Bay Junction Stand D, which is two minutes walking distance from the current stop, or at the Spencer Road bus stop before Murdoch Street. Unfortunately, students will now need to walk across additional roads to arrive at the Junior Campus and we urge students to use extreme caution when crossing any road.
Please note the Hampden Avenue bus stop will still remain operational for afternoon bus services.
Notice of Macquarie University Sport Field Parking Changes
In October last year, Macquarie University moved to a digital parking platform across the campus and at the same time, introduced paid parking for all Sport and Aquatic Centre users. As part of this change, paid parking will also be applied to the Sport Fields as the last stage in this strategy.
As of 1 May, all parking at the sport fields will attract a fee of $1.50 per hour.
Mr Ari Guha
Head of Junior School
aguha@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022